OPINION
There surely can’t be much arguing with the following statement: Centre back Fabian Schar has been one of Newcastle United’s best players this season.
The Swiss international has been absolutely superb from start to finish, and his dominant display against Fulham on Sunday underlined just how good he has been.
In fact, the 27-year-old can count himself unlucky not have been selected as his team’s Player of the Year, with striker Salomon Rondon scooping the gong instead.
While some Magpies defenders, like Jamaal Lascelles and DeAndre Yedlin, have enjoyed topsy-turvy campaigns plagued by inconsistency, Schar has been rock solid all season long.
He showed just what he could do in the 4-0 win over the Cottagers, scoring just after the hour mark as Rafael Benitez’s side eased to an extremely comfortable victory.
The former Deportivo man was exceptional at the back on Sunday, bringing the ball out from defence and proving the catalyst for many profitable Newcastle forays forward.
Look, Rondon has obviously enjoyed a tremendous season for the Magpies. Schar, though, has arguably been even more consistent than the burly Venezuelan. Perhaps, dare I say it, he’s possibly more important to the team than the West Bromwich Albion loanee.
You can’t go wrong with either man as Newcastle’s Player of the Year, but Schar can certainly feel slightly unlucky to have missed out given how integral he’s been to Newcastle’s team success this term.
He’s going to go on and be even better next time round after a year in the Premier League, which is a hugely exciting thought for the Toon Army. For now, though, they can sit back and marvel at what he achieved against Fulham and all season long.
