Newcastle will ‘replace’ Chelsea among Premier League elite after £1bn update – pundit
Newcastle United will replace Chelsea as one of the Premier League’s top clubs.
That’s according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Chelsea’s future.
Four bidders have been shortlisted to take over the club with Sky Sports claiming (26 March) the new owners must commit £1billion to support club infrastructure.
This comes with Roman Abramovich’s tenure soon to end following sanctions placed on him by the UK government.
McAvennie claims Chelsea will struggle to sign top players this summer and predicts Newcastle will soon be finishing ahead of them in the league.
“If you’re a big-name player who’s on the move this summer, you aren’t going to Chelsea, that’s for sure,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I don’t think so. They are going to come back into line with the other clubs.
“I think they will be down with West Ham challenging for the Europa League.
“No one can match the way Abramovich ran that club, it’s going to be run like a business now.
“I actually think Newcastle can come in and replace them as one of the top teams.
“Whoever takes over Chelsea will be loaded but the wealth at Newcastle is a different level.
“Chelsea are going down and Newcastle are going up, that’s the way it is.”
Newcastle faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 13 March with the hosts winning 1-0.
The Blues are third in the league while the Magpies are 14th.
In other news, pundit tips Newcastle United to complete five new signings after £60m update.