John Barnes believes Newcastle United owners must be honest with supporters regarding the club’s direction.
Upon arrival, Amanda Staveley, the former co-owner who fronted the Saudi-backed takeover, promised to win the Premier League within five to 10 years. Three years on, the Magpies sit 12th in the league following a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
FFP/PSR restrictions dictated Newcastle’s transfer policy in the past two windows, hampering their ability to invest. Lloyd Kelly on a free from Bournemouth has been the only worthwhile first-team signing in 2024.
Apathy towards recruitment spilled into the new season, with a noticeable lack of buzz around St James’ Park on the opening day. Now nine games in, the Magpies are yet to find their best form and have not won a league fixture since September 15.
The pressure is beginning to be cranked up on Eddie Howe for the first time since joining Newcastle. Former star Barnes has suggested the Magpies are suffering an identity crisis – an expressed concern about players leaving next summer.
“The quicker Newcastle decide what kind of a club they are, the better things will get,” he told Lucky Block. “For example, if Newcastle believe that the best they can hope for at the moment is the top six and seven, then I think the fans would accept that it will be hard to hold onto their best players.
“If the ambition is to become the next Manchester City and try and dominate English football, then the fans won’t accept players departing for rival clubs. At the moment, I think they’re caught somewhere in the middle.
“There’s a massive contradiction between Newcastle being the biggest, richest club in the world, a club that should have the best manager and the best players in the world because of their resources, but in reality, the rumours aren’t going away regarding the future of their best players. Can Newcastle fulfil the ambitions of their best players and keep them? I’m not sure if they can.”
