Keith Downie has heaped praise on Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar after he scored on international duty for Switzerland on Thursday evening.
The Sky Sports journalist claimed it was “unbelievable” that the Magpies were able to secure the 27-year-old for only £3million at the beginning of last season.
Downie posted the message on his personal Twitter account on Saturday morning and was in awe of the Newcastle enforcer who scored his second goal in as many games for club and country.
Schar has started every game so far in the Premier League under Steve Bruce and is the club’s current top-scorer since the beginning of last season.
OPINION
Downie is right to heap praise on Schar, who has no doubt been Newcastle’s standout performer in the past year. The 27-year-old has managed to take that into international duty as well, with the Swiss man finishing off a great passing move. The Magpies’ enforcer puts defending first, and that is proven by his stats – averaging 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game so far in the Premier League this season, the most in the entire Newcastle squad [WhoScored]. As well as that, Schar also averages 3.5 clearances – fewer than his fellow central defenders. Proving that he can add goals to his game on international duty, the Swiss man is always a threat going forward. Schar opened his account for the season against Watford last time out and has averaged 1.3 shots per game so far [WhoScored], impressive for a defender whose main job is to stay further back. After back-to-back games with goals, Schar will now be looking to continue his form after international duty back at St James’ Park.
