Former Arsenal and Middlesbrough playmaker Paul Merson has warned prospective Champions League teams about the emerging Newcastle United ahead of a return to Europe's elite competition. Eddie Howe and his side have done a remarkable job in their quest for top-four football and have been imperious throughout the season.
Despite being the richest club in world football, Newcastle haven't been able to flex their financial muscles given the constraints of Financial Fair Play. The Toon have still spent money in their quest for improvement, but very few would have predicted the successes of the current campaign.
Alexander Isak is the most expensive arrival, while Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman have also came with reasonably sized priced tags given the current market. One look at Chelsea and their recent dismal season shows money doesn't guarantee success.
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"Fair play, what Newcastle have done is phenomenal," Merson told Sky Sports. "People will say 'ah they've got all the money in the world' but they have bought so, so, so well and done it the right way.
"They haven't bought in two players on £400,000 a week and caused a lorry load of problems. It's phenomenal what they've done. You can't talk highly enough.
"People will say they've got all this money but they really because they haven't spent it. What they've done to other teams is unbelievable. You say [Champions League] nights at home, nights away, their fans will light it up.
"Other fans won't believe their fans when they get to away games."
