Jordan: Newcastle ‘aren’t anywhere near’ other ‘big’ clubs, Chelsea boss Potter should ‘stop moaning’

Joe Williams
Simon Jordan speaks about Newcastle
Football pundit Simon Jordan

Simon Jordan claims Newcastle United “aren’t anywhere near” the size of other “big” clubs in the Premier League with the Magpies “20 years” away from catching up.

The Geordies have been impressive all season with Eddie Howe’s side currently fifth after losing 2-0 to defending Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime.

Howe also guided Newcastle to the Carabao Cup final – which they lost 2-0 to Manchester United last Sunday– and, with the backing of their new owners, will be hoping to reach more finals in the near future.

But former Crystal Palace chairman Jordan reckons Newcastle have a long way to go to become a “big club on the world stage”.

Jordan said on talkSPORT: “Newcastle have got 20 years to catch up with the brands of clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League. They are going to spend a lot of money to do that but they are nowhere near.

“Right now, Newcastle are doing very well in the league but as a commercial operation with global eyes on the prize, they aren’t anywhere near the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal.

“I maintain this view and I don’t care how many Geordies want to have a go at me. The bottom line is, you are a big club in Newcastle.

“You’re not a big club on the world stage, you will be. They are a big club in Newcastle but they will be a big club on the global stage.”

Chelsea are having a terrible season under Graham Potter and Jordan reckons the Blues boss needs to stop moaning so much.

Jordan added: “I don’t want to diminish how it feels when someone says something mean about you, and anything with a threat in it is not necessary, but that goes with the tribalism and emotion of football.

“That’s why you’re in a job getting paid £10million a year, because if there was no emotion and no fever pitch, then these guys in football wouldn’t get the rewards that they get.

“I really do get tired of the mental health card being played every single time someone gets put under pressure.

“This is the business that you’re in. You’re a big-time manager and you have to have resilience and fortitude – that is my opinion.

“The challenges you have to take on board are to ignore the background noise, ignore the noise of total strangers and focus on the core product of what you’re supposed to be doing, which is winning football matches.

“So ignore the rampant lunatic who sends you an awful message, because they are irrelevant. They are not someone who is in your life and if there’s real jeopardy behind it and you really are fearful for your life, ultimately you will get security… although you shouldn’t have to have that.

“But it goes with the territory and when you lose football matches in the manner Chelsea are, and consistently turn out a side that doesn’t look capable of winning, you’re going to come under pressure.

“I get tired of this weakness in football that only praise will suffice. He’s damn sure not going to get any, because he’s not entitled to it.”

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