Why would any Newcastle United player join Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City? | OneFootball

So then, why would any Newcastle United player sign for Manchester City, Arsenal or Liverpool?

It’s a serious question.

I constantly see headline after headline, transfer story after transfer story, all making it out to be the case that if one of these clubs comes knocking, any Newcastle United player would jump at the chance to join them.

Don’t get me wrong, I see why players might join these clubs.

I just don’t see why any Newcastle United player would be desperate to do so.

In the past of course, it was a different matter under the previous owner. Indeed, he encouraged any decent Newcastle United player to leave, so long as an ok amount of money was laid on the table.

That was then, this is now though.

To your typical clueless pundit or journalist, the answer to my ‘why would any Newcastle United player sign for Manchester City, Arsenal or Liverpool?’ question, would be bemusement as to why this even needed to be asked.

For them it would be the lazy answer of, something along the lines of, well they are the ‘big’ and ‘successful’ clubs that win trophies, aren’t they.

The clear implication that they are clearly far bigger and more successful when it comes to winning trophies than Newcastle United and will continue to be, obviously.

Newcastle United won a trophy three months ago and last month qualified for the Champions League (as they did two seasons ago).

So taking each in turn…this is the reality.

Arsenal

Surely any Newcastle United player would jump at the chance to play for the mighty Gunners.

Reality is…

Arsenal haven’t won a trophy for six years.

In the last 20 years, since 2005, the Gunners have only won one competition, the FA Cup (four times).

If Newcastle United had taken some of their many first half chances in May, Eddie Howe’s side would have become the first club to ever beat Arsenal four times in a season.

Liverpool

Until this season’s title win, the scousers had only won the Premier League/First Division once since 1990.

It is only two years ago since Newcastle United finished above Liverpool in the Premier League.

What I am saying…

What I’m saying/meaning, is the way people go on, in the media and rival fans, you would think Liverpool and Arsenal had dominated for decades, that we were looking at clubs who won everything, all the time, so surely all Newcastle United players would be jumping ship if given the chance.

The truth is that under Eddie Howe and the new owners, Newcastle United have become very competitive with these clubs, indeed, it is now a shock when Arsenal get the odd win over NUFC.

Liverpool dominated English football back in the 1970s and 1980s, just as Manchester United did so in the next two decades. Back then, those two clubs could say to players, we are the best by far, look at these last 10+ years or whatever.

Manchester City

Manchester City HAVE been the dominant team for a decade, but no longer…

However, last season saw massive cracks appear.

They still have those 115 Premier League charges hanging over them and could and should get serious punishment.

As today’s elimination from the daft Club World Cup shows, they are nothing special now.

They are now buying quantity of players not the very best quality.