Is Newcastle United Ready To Become A Title Contender Next Season?

Newcastle United might have stumbled over the line, but it will be a Champions League club next season nonetheless. Everton’s surprising victory at St James’ Park on Sunday meant the Magpies had to rely on results elsewhere – namely Aston Villa losing to Manchester United – to finish in the top five. This, however, has given them a platform to build on.

Of course, Newcastle has played in the Champions League before, and recently too. Indeed, it was only last season that the competition’s famous anthem was played at St James’ Park. Since then, though, Eddie Howe has given his team a stronger foundation. It is ready to take the next step in its development.

The spine is in place. Alexander Isak is one of the best centre forwards in the Premier League. Arsenal has been linked with the Swedish international, but why would Newcastle sell its prize asset when it would cost over £100m to find a replacement of a similar level? The Magpies must build around Isak.

Bruno Guimaraes is another elite level performer at St James’ Park. The Brazilian is one of the best all-round central midfielders in the European game and is still improving with every season he plays in the Premier League. Again, Newcastle has an asset valued at over £100m on its hands in the form of Guimaraes.

Sandro Tonali grew in stature over the course of the 2024/25 campaign. The Italian settled in at the base of the Newcastle midfield, giving Howe some real physicality to utilise in the centre of the pitch. Between Guimaraes, Tonali and Joelinton, Newcastle has the physicality to overpower any opponent in central midfield.

At the back, there’s Sven Botman who has struggled badly for fitness over the last two seasons. When fit and available, though, the Dutchman is as good as almost every other central defender in the Premier League. Keeping him on the pitch will be key for a successful 2025/26 campaign after the summer.

Qualifying for next season’s Champions League will give Newcastle more headroom to navigate the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) while also making the club even more attractive to prospective signings in the transfer market. This summer could be a pivotal one for the Magpies.

Howe needs much greater squad depth to handle the demands of domestic and continental soccer. This is where Newcastle struggled two seasons ago when its Champions League schedule bogged down the team for the full campaign. With lessons learned from the past, Newcastle has a lot to look forward to in the future.