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Newcastle United must emulate Villarreal CF

By Durim Halimi

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Newcastle United players celebrate after the full time whistle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Newcastle United players celebrate after the full time whistle during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at London Stadium on December 23, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United are in a transition phase as they aim to elevate their status as a club. One team that has fulfilled this objective is Villarreal CF from Spain.

After experiencing two relegations in one decade, Newcastle United are in the process of developing consistency in the Premier League. After earning promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2016-17 season, the Magpies are still feeling the pressure of life in the top flight.

Despite being the newcomers of the league, Newcastle did well last season as they earned a top ten finish. The main goal this season is to improve on that form and develop a reputation worthy of respect in the Premier League.

Developing consistency in such a competitive and unpredictable league is not an easy task. However, teams have experienced impressive transformations in the past and are now considered to be elite in their domestic leagues. A primary example that Newcastle can learn from and emulate is the case of Villarreal CF in Spain.

Why Villarreal CF?

Similar to Newcastle, Villarreal experienced two relegations in 13 seasons, but the club is now one of the most consistent sides in La Liga. Villarreal last fell to the second tier of Spanish football in 2012, but they have not looked back since earning promotion in the following season.

Ever since being relegated six years ago, Villarreal have consistently concluded La Liga campaigns in fourth, fifth and sixth place. This is the exact objective that Rafa Benitez wishes to achieve on Tyneside in order for his Magpies to play in European tournaments.

So how did Villarreal go from newly-promoted side to a consistent top five club, and can Newcastle truly emulate that script?

Score 50 Goals

One thing that Villarreal did was average 53 goals in each La Liga campaign since 2012. The Magpies struggled in this department as they only managed to score 39 goals in 38 matches. This placed a lot of pressure on the defense to perform close to perfection to keep matches close.

The good news is that Newcastle are aware of their scoring woes as recent transfer rumors indicate that Newcastle are looking for quality strikers. Being able to score multiple goals in most matches will surely secure three points and could also make the difference in tie-breaker situations.

Ten Losses

Goals are necessary, but defensive stability is crucial for earning a positive result. Newcastle were solid defensively in the second half of the season, but the Magpies tasted defeat 18 times. Losing that many matches will prevent any club from becoming a contender for European football.

Since being relegated in 2012, Villarreal have been consistent defensively as the Spaniards only averaged 11 losses each season. Villarreal’s two best seasons were in 2015 and 2016 when they only lost nine and ten matches.

Villarreal are a primary example of how quickly a club can improve its form and maintain high levels of football quality. Newcastle are only a few players away from being a top six contender. Newcastle surprised pundits with their top ten finish last season, but with high offensive efficiency and defensive stability the Magpies could become the Villarreal of England over the next few seasons.