Newcastle United will do their best to keep their top talent on Tyneside, but one star player could leave this summer.
Firstly, let me begin by making one thing clear: the aim of this editorial is not to trigger a rumor or start gossip. As an editorial, this article is solely based on my opinion and what I think could happen with one particular player this summer.
This week multiple reports have been written about Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin. Atletico Madrid is reportedly keeping tabs on Almiron, but it is unclear whether or not the Spanish giants will trigger his “expensive” (undisclosed) release clause.
Other reports regarding Saint-Maximin claim that the Frenchman is not happy with his wages and feels he deserves more money. Steve Bruce was quick to address those reports by praising his star players and saying there is “no chance” they will leave Newcastle United.
Fans will hope that is true, but there is one star player who must be thinking about his future after falling down the pecking order on the back line. That player is none other than Fabian Schar.
The Swiss international has often been described as one of the best bargain signings in the Premier League in recent seasons. Newcastle United secured his services in the summer of 2018 for £3m and he immediately solidified his place in the lineup under Rafa Benitez.
With the Spaniard now long gone, Schar has been demoted to a third option in the rotation. Bruce initially gave Schar the nod over Federico Fernandez and Florian Lejeune, but an injury to Schar opened the door to Fernandez and he has not looked back.
As a result, Schar went from being one of the first names on the team sheet to a rotational player who gets limited action. In his recent performances, Schar has not performed at an elite level.
On one end it makes sense because his confidence has been shaken, but on the other end it does not look like he is all that keen to improve. If it was the other way around, Bruce surely would have seen that in training and started him in more games.
In my opinion, and I have written this in articles in the past, Schar is the best defender at Newcastle United, but his form has experienced a dip this season.
With Bruce now valuing Fernandez more, it would not surprise me if Schar was linked with an exit upon the conclusion of this campaign.