Newcastle United news: Pundit issues ‘crazy’ claim after what he’s seen
Newcastle United must target a top-six finish next season after impressing during the season half of the 2021-22 campaign.
That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Magpies’ summer plans.
Newcastle secured an 11th-placed finish after beating Burnley 2-1 on the final day of the Premier League season (22 May).
Eddie Howe’s side ended up nine points off Man United, who finished sixth, after failing to win any of their first 14 games of the season.
When asked if a top-six finish was possible for Newcastle next season, Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild, “It sounds crazy but from what I’ve seen, why not?
“If they had this team and manager from the first week of the season they would have finished in Europe this season, make no mistake about that.
“So, with a few new players this summer, why can’t we be talking about Newcastle in Europe?
“Some people have said Champions League, I think that’s still a few years away yet.
“But Europa League or even the Conference League would be amazing for them, I know the fans would love having European football back at St James’ Park.
“I think they are better than the likes of Wolves and Brighton and they have been up there this season. Why not?”
Newcastle’s last participation in European competition was a Europa League campaign in the 2012-13 season.
They reached the quarter-final stage before being knocked out by eventual runners-up Benfica.
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