Eddie Howe says that Newcastle United have a new objective in the transfer market and would be unlikely to bring in a Ronaldo style signing like Manchester United did last term.
Eddie Howe said: “The thing for us is we are trying to provide long-term growth. We have a longer-term vision. For us, we have an ageing squad. We need to invest in more young players. It’s a big part and we need to get the average down. It might not be the type of signing (Ronaldo) we’d look to make but I’m not underestimating the quality the player has.”
Nevertheless as Newcastle prepare to face one of the Premier League’s oldest players in 37-year-old Ronaldo, Howe knows he is up against world class quality.
Eddie Howe said: “With Cristiano Ronaldo when you look at his career and the numbers, it’s been highlighted, to get 700 goals and how good his record is and career has been. It puts in focus the quality of the player. It is unquestionable. So we are going to have to be very good against him if he plays. We’re going to have to brief our players on the areas he wants to score.”It is something to be aware of.”
The corresponding fixture last season saw Ronaldo grab two on his second coming for Manchester United at Old Trafford in a 4-1 win. He went on to score 26 more for the Red Devils including hat-tricks against Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City.
Eddie Howe added: “You look at his goal record last year. Even that was incredible. For me, the transfer has worked, he got some massive goals last year and some really important goals in the Champions League. So I think he’s still an outstanding player and should never be underestimated.”
