Newcastle United have been tipped for relegation by Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas and fears for the club’s future in the Premier League.
The former Arsenal and Celtic striker believe the Magpies will be one of the three teams to slip into the Championship at the end of the league campaign.
Newcastle have signed six signings this summer, Martin Dubravka, Kenedy, Fabian Schar, Ki, Yoshinori Muto and Salomon Rondon but the pundit believes that Rafa Benitez’s squad lacks the quality to fight off the drop despite a top half finish last season.
Nicholas said, as quoted by The Chronicle: “Newcastle are right on the edge of it with what has been going there this summer.
“They did well to get the money they did for Aleksandar Mitrovic but they still can’t get quality in, although I do like Kenedy.
“The only thing keeping this club together is the relationship between the fans and Rafael Benitez, but I genuinely hope I’m wrong with fearing it could all fall apart.”
OPINION
Although Newcastle finished in a strong position last season, Benitez has not given the backing that he had hoped for from owner Mike Ashley. Newcastle’s late run of form towards the end of last season helped to guide the club towards top flight safety but whether the Magpies can achieve Premier League status next year is a different matter. There have been negative vibes in the camp after the players refused to co-operate with any media following failed agreements over bonuses and Benitez has made his frustrations clear in press conferences of his lack of control to sign the player he wishes. On the other hand, Newcastle have retained the likes of Martin Dubravka and Kenedy this season, with Dubravka signing permanently while Kenedy has joined for another loan spell. Both of the signings played important roles in the second half of last season and supporters will be hoping for more of the same for the upcoming campaign. The club have brought in two strikers in Muto and Rondon and both will need to score expected goals if Newcastle are to silence the critics over relegation worries.
