What Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe say about Chelsea match

Eddie Howe says that Newcastle United players know they have to match the increased expectations around the club next season after qualifying for the Champions League a year ahead of schedule.

The Toon head coach will be guaranteed fourth spot regardless of what happens at Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. But he admits that he hasn’t exactly been looking forward to next season, because he is focused on the future dynamics around the club.

When asked if he was able to look forward to the Champions League, Howe said: “I don’t know if it’s something you look forward to – the dynamic will have changed for us. I think we’ve massively overachieved this year for where we were at the start of the season, and to keep overachieving – and that’s what we’re going to have to do, to match the expectation – is going to be our biggest challenge.”

Howe knows that competition will be as stiff as ever in the Premier League next season with Chelsea expected to be back in the mix and Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa all pushing outside the top four.

Speaking about Sunday’s opponents, Howe said: “Next season, I think they’ll be a big threat. They’ve got top quality players – I think that’s undoubted – but I think trying to form a team very quickly with a lot of new players is very difficult to do. I think that’s probably been their biggest challenge.

“But I think next year a lot of those players will now have had Premier League experience, they will have adjusted to the league, and they’ll be a big threat.”