One myth that constantly comes out of the media is that Newcastle fans expect too much and are unrealistic.
Yes, you’ll get the odd person who’ll want to see us immediately competing at the very top and signing every elite player under the sun if and when a takeover happens, but your everyday fan is just looking forward to us showing some ambition again and flexing our newfound financial muscles in the transfer market.
This bring me onto some frustrating comments that have emerged from former Mag John Barnes this week, who’s warned us that the Ronaldo’s, Messi’s and Mbappe’s of this world won’t be arriving at St James’ Park.
It’s astonishing really. Not the links to such huge names, but the fact the media genuinely believe this is what we’re expecting should a Saudi-backed buyout go through.
Here’s what he’s had to say:
“Marquee signings for Newcastle are not marquee signings.
“Ronaldo is not going there, Lionel Messi is not going there and Mbappe is not going there.
“If they are sold, I still don’t think the best players in the world are going to go to Newcastle.
“They are not marquee signings [that Newcastle will attract now], they are players that Newcastle probably couldn’t have got before the Saudi Arabians take over.
“Everyone wants to try and get better players.
“Better players don’t mean marquee signings.
“It is just better players than what they have [at the minute].
“They will spend more money, attract more players in terms of the salaries that they are going to pay, that is the same as any club.”
We really don’t need to be told that Ronaldo and Messi won’t be signing. After all, I’ve not seen a single Newcastle fan even suggest we try to get them.
That said, I feel he’s ignoring the potential we’d have under ambitious owners – especially if a top manager followed them through the doors on Tyneside – in some of the comments he makes.
This opens up a new can of worms, but I’d like to know what he makes of the Cavani, Coutinho and Koulibaly rumours – three top players we’ve been credited with serious interest in since news broke of a Saudi-backed bid to buy the club.
Are they not realistic? Are they not ‘marquee signings’? I’d be shocked if we got anyone of that calibre so early into a potential new project, but talk of us expecting a Ronaldo or Messi is just ridiculous.
Of course we’re not going to sign Messi or Ronaldo. I would like to see us turn Willem loan deal permanent and I think we’d be mad not to make a pitch for Ryan Fraser on a free as we need a right winger. That would leave plenty of funds to comply with FFP to get a decent RB and maybe a marquee-ish quality striker or two
Charla2118(Quote)
Nobody on Tyneside is expecting Ronaldo or Messi, what is JB on about!
We just want Ashley out and a chance to compete with the rest of the league!
jimbo(Quote)
To be fair Man city and the rest of the ‘Big teams’ havnt got a chance either so what’s actually his point, I used to mute the commentary when this idiot was on. Can’t stand is irritating voice
Hazy420(Quote)