Newcastle United: A top 10 finish would attract more summer targets
By Durim Halimi
Newcastle United sit 13th in the table, but the Magpies should fight for a top ten finish to attract new talent.
Despite the club’s five point cushion, Newcastle’s primary objective remains avoiding relegation. However, Rafa Benitez’s side has been in solid form in 2018 and it would not be surprising if the Magpies fight for 10th place.
With one less match, Newcastle United are only four points behind 10th place and a victory against Huddersfield Town would help close that gap. The history behind Newcastle United alone attracts players, but truly talented players want to play for an established football powerhouse.
A top ten finish in the Premier League would significantly improve the Magpies’ chances of landing quality summer targets. The lower Newcastle’s placement will be on the table this season, the more difficult it will be to compete with other clubs pursuing the same players.
The Importance of 10th Place
For some clubs, a 10th place finish is a disappointment, but for Newcastle, it would be a major success due to their circumstances this season. As a basic starting point, a top ten finish would prove that Newcastle United have more quality than ten other clubs in the Premier League.
The true importance of finishing the season 10th in the table is not about finishing above half the league. Instead, finishing the season in the top half of the table would demonstrate that Newcastle are only a few players away from top six contention.
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The recruitment pitch of only being a few players away from the top six will certainly be appealing to prospective summer targets. As mentioned earlier, Newcastle United is already an attractive destination for many players. However, the credibility of Benitez’s long-term vision for the club would greatly benefit from a top ten finish.
Probability of a Top Ten Finish
In order for Newcastle United to finish in 10th place, the Magpies would need to win most of their remaining matches. Moreover, Bournemouth and Watford have favorable fixtures remaining on their schedules which makes a top ten finish improbable for Newcastle.
It is also worth mentioning that the Premier League has provided supporters and pundits with plenty of surprises this season so 10th place is not an impossible task. Even if the Magpies finish below 10th, the season will be considered successful on Tyneside. With a final placement between 11th and 13th, the Magpies can still, but not as effectively, make the claim that they are only a few players away from the top six.