According to The Athletic, Fabian Schar’s future at Newcastle United is in doubt, with their sources claiming we were about to ‘listen to offers’ for the Swiss star before COVID-19 struck.
As Chris Waugh states in his latest piece, the pandemic and the ongoing takeover saga has seen most transfer business be put on hold – both in or out – however it sounds like Schar’s time at St James’ Park may come to an end before too long if nothing changes.
The report reveals that Bruce sees him as the club’s fourth choice option once Ciaran Clark is fit again, with the NUFC boss having ‘doubts’ about his discipline in the middle of a new four-man defence.
Interestingly, The Athletic claim Rafa Benitez has the same reservations when operating in a two-man central defence – a system Bruce looks set to stick with from this point onwards, meaning it’s looking a little ominous for Schar if Bruce remains in charge.
With Schar now 28 and entering the final year of his contract on Tyneside, it’s starting to feel like this will be his last season at the club unless potential new owners bring in a manager who’s keen to include him in their plans.
He’s a very talented player and can look our best centre-back on his day, but some would argue that this is our time to cash in – with him playing just 204 minutes of football across 2020 and looking noticeably rash and uninterested in that FA Cup defeat to Man City.
Ironically, Schar may well be tested in a four-man defence tonight, with Lascelles (ankle) a doubt, Lejeune and Clark not fully fit and Dummett ineligible.
Let’s hope he copes better than he did the last time we met Man City and can prove Bruce wrong over the coming weeks, with there being no doubting his ability when he’s up for it and used correctly.
