Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar has completely revitalised his career after being shunned by Steve Bruce.
Eddie Howe is blessed with some quality defensive options when everybody at Newcastle United is fit.
Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have impressed together, while Dan Burn can slot into central defence when needed.
Then there is Fabian Schar, who found the net in last week’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Schar will be a Newcastle player for his 34th birthday in December, something which didn’t look likely just a few years ago.
Fabian Schar was shunned under Steve Bruce
Schar joined Newcastle from Deportivo La Coruna in 2018, as Rafael Benitez pounced on a cheap release clause.
The Swiss defender impressed under Benitez, but Steve Bruce’s arrival set him on a difficult path.
Schar’s starting action declined under Bruce, and he was left to consider leaving St James’ Park as a result.
“I mean, I didn’t always play a lot [under Bruce],” said Schar, as quoted by The Shields Gazette.
“I was in a difficult position, and I think the manager or even then the club wouldn’t be like trying to keep me, you know? I’m like, ‘I want to play football, that’s the only thing I want to do’.
“At that stage of my career, I didn’t want to sit on the bench, and obviously the way we played football wasn’t really suited to myself. Then I started to think of what’s happening next, what’s going on?
“I kind of felt like, when I heard who was coming to be here as the new manager, things changed, because I’d already had contact with [Howe] a few years ago. The mentality from myself changed a lot, and I’m just glad and thankful for that,” he added.
Fortunately, Schar stayed at Newcastle and was greeted with a new era under Eddie Howe.
Schar has been an important player ever since, racking up more than 34 Premier League appearances in each of his three full seasons under Howe.
New competition has arrived in Thiaw, but Schar’s experience remains a valuable asset and his Newcastle journey could go on for a while yet.
Fabian Schar could land a new Newcastle United contract
Schar looked to be on the brink under Bruce, but his situation is very different some four years on.
Schar is open to a new contract at Newcastle, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
The Magpies are surely interested in keeping Schar around, especially after seeing his fine display last week.
Schar may be close to turning 34, but he has shown that he is a dependable member of the squad who can slot in across all competitions.
That kind of player is incredibly valuable, and Schar could really cap off his post-Bruce rise by landing yet another contract.
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