"I DON'T BUY IT": WHY EDDIE HOWE REFUSES TO ACCEPT NEWCASTLE'S FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS
Eddie Howe defies Premier League financial rules, insisting Newcastle can outperform their 17th-place revenue rank on the pitch.
Eddie Howe isn’t letting strict financial rules dampen his ambition. If anything, he says they just make him more determined to shake things up—and he wants Newcastle’s rivals to remember that football happens on the pitch, not in some accountant’s workbook.
This Sunday, Newcastle faces Aston Villa, and it’s a reminder of how tough it is for teams punching above their weight to actually stay at the top. Thanks to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules, clubs like Newcastle and Villa can’t splash the cash like the usual “Big Six”, even though both have made it to the Champions League recently. Their owners have deep pockets, but the rules keep those wallets closed.
Howe pointed to the latest Deloitte Football Money League, which puts Newcastle all the way down at 17th. Their revenue lags £380 million behind Liverpool, the top English club on that list. The gap is huge; there's no getting around it.
Still, Howe believes smart management can trump the numbers. “I’ve never thought money alone should decide who finishes where,” he said. “People say the league table follows the wage bill, but I just don’t buy that.”
He doesn’t waste time thinking about how other clubs can outspend Newcastle. If anything, that just fuels him. “We’ve got to find our own ways to win. I’ve always believed that—right from my first day in management. Football is played on the pitch, not in the bank.”
Last season, Newcastle finished fifth, even though their wage bill is only the eighth-highest in the league. Howe says the club are well aware of how far they have to go in terms of revenue. “That money league was interesting reading for us. It’s proof there’s still a long road ahead. People are probably tired of hearing us mention it, but it’s just the reality. Growing our revenues is vital, and there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes to make that happen.”
But at the end of the day, Howe’s philosophy is simple: make the most of what you have. “No matter what the situation is, you have to try to outperform your resources. Overachieving is the goal. Get every ounce of energy out of the squad. We still believe we can do great things, even with restrictions. We’ll always push for the very best we can get.”
Howe’s not new to this. Back when he was at Bournemouth, he took the club from League Two all the way up to the Premier League. That experience shaped the way he looks at the game now. “That first season managing, all we wanted was to stay in the league and not fall into the conference. That summer, we thought we’d be able to bring in new players to steady the ship, but then we got slapped with a transfer embargo. So we went up with the same squad.
“That taught me something important. It’s not always about what’s happening outside—signings, money, all that. Sure, those things matter the higher you climb, but real success comes from getting the best out of the players you’ve got. That’s stuck with me ever since.”
NEWCASTLE RE-IGNITE PURSUIT OF CHELSEA STRIKER LIAM DELAP FOR SUMMER WINDOW
Newcastle are targeting Chelsea striker Liam Delap as Eddie Howe looks to rebuild his attack after the Isak sale.
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It seems Newcastle has its sights set on Liam Delap as a potential signing this summer, according to talkSPORT. Delap actually met Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe, before making his move from Ipswich to Chelsea last summer, and he came away with a positive impression of Howe.
Chelsea might be open to letting Delap go. This season, he’s only scored once in the Premier League, and injuries have disrupted his rhythm since he arrived at Stamford Bridge. Under Chelsea’s current boss, Liam Rosenior, Joao Pedro has been preferred up front since January, leaving Delap on the fringes.
On Newcastle’s side, there's a clear push to strengthen their attack despite already spending around £120 million last summer on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa. Howe has made reinforcing the forward line a top priority for the upcoming window. The sale of Alexander Isak last summer left Howe short of attacking options, especially as the transfer window wound down. Isak had been important, scoring ten goals since he arrived, but just once since the start of 2026. Wissa has contributed a few goals this season as well, netting three in 21 appearances.
But neither Woltemade nor Wissa has made a significant impact yet; they’ve both been left on the bench during crucial matches, including both legs of Newcastle’s Champions League tie against Barcelona. In fact, neither got time on the pitch during the heavy 7-2 loss at the Nou Camp, and Woltemade, in particular, is reportedly frustrated about his limited role, especially in key games.
Howe has turned to using Anthony Gordon as a false nine and recently favoured Will Osula, who made a dramatic impact with a late goal against Manchester United. Despite arriving at Newcastle only in August, Woltemade’s future has already come under scrutiny, with Bayern Munich reportedly monitoring him, continuing their interest from last summer.
No matter who might leave this summer, Howe is actively searching for a striker to lead the attack next season. Delap fits the profile. He made an impression during his breakout season with Ipswich, scoring 12 goals in 37 league games. Newcastle was among several clubs interested in the Manchester City academy product before he signed for Chelsea, and their interest hasn’t faded since.
ALAN SHEARER REFUSES TO BACK DOWN IN ANTHONY GORDON BARCELONA SELECTION ROW
Alan Shearer doubles down on his stance that Anthony Gordon should have played through illness against Barcelona.
The debate around Anthony Gordon’s benching in Newcastle’s Champions League clash with Barcelona isn’t going away anytime soon. Alan Shearer, known for his strong opinions, has stuck to his guns even after Gordon publicly pushed back on the criticism.
Last week, Gordon was left out of the starting lineup for the first leg against Barcelona. Manager Eddie Howe later explained that Gordon was dealing with an illness leading up to the game and only came on in the 67th minute during the 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. Interestingly, Gordon has had a standout season, breaking Shearer’s Champions League goal record with 10 goals in 11 games, which makes the benching all the more contentious.
Shearer didn’t hold back after Gordon’s absence was confirmed, saying he believed the winger should have started. His rationale was straightforward: if a player is fit enough to train on the day of the game, they should be on the pitch, especially in such a crucial match against Barcelona with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake. He emphasised that it would take something truly exceptional to keep him out of that kind of game.
Gordon, however, fired back after scoring the winner at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, hitting out at what he called the “nonsense” remarks. He revealed that even though he was bedridden and missed training for three days due to illness, he expected to start the match against Barcelona. The decision to rest him came from Howe, who informed him upon arrival at the stadium that he wouldn’t be in the starting XI, a decision Gordon admitted was difficult but ultimately up to the manager.
Shearer responded again during a recent episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, welcoming Gordon’s right to reply but standing firm on his original comments. He reiterated that, in his view, illness wouldn’t have sidelined him for such a vital game, even acknowledging the manager’s role in the decision but not changing his stance.
Adding further context, Howe clarified his part in the decision, emphasising that Gordon was very much willing to play against Barcelona. The final call was made jointly with the medical staff, who concluded that he wasn’t fit enough to start, despite the player’s readiness to go.
It’s a classic clash between player determination and managerial caution, and this back-and-forth highlights just how fine the lines can be in top-level football decisions. Regardless of where you stand, it’s clear both sides are passionate about what’s best for Newcastle’s success.
