In less than nine weeks time, Fabian Schar is set to become a free agent.
The Newcastle United defender has a current contract that will end on 30 June 2026.
Eddie Howe asked at his pre-Brighton Press Conference about Fabian Schar and what his future is at the club: “No decisions have been made on Fabian. In terms of guesses and thoughts on his future, that he will be allowed to leave, that is very premature.”
Fabian Schar is a class act and has been much missed in this second half of the season, picking up that serious injury during the dramatic 4-3 win over Leeds in January.
Malick Thiaw has done really well in his first Premier League season but has been asked to play far too many matches, clearly Eddie Howe would have had the Swiss defender sharing the workload in recent months.
Eddie Howe adding: “Fabian has been a big miss for us, not underestimated by us at all. He is one of the most unique ball distributors in the Premier League. I don’t think you’ll see another player distribute the ball like he can, and has done historically for us. He is very creative in deep areas and we have certainly missed that ability to bypass an opponent’s press that he gives us. A top player who is very calm and very experienced. I’m a massive fan of Fabian and hope we can get him to full fitness by the end of the season.”
Assuming Fabian Schar can successfully come back from this injury, for me it is a no-brainer to offer him another year. He will turn 35 in December but would be a real asset still next season, with probably Malick Thiaw first choice but Schar getting decent minutes as well.
As Eddie Howe says, which defenders, indeed any players, can pass a ball better than Fabian Schar?
As good as Thiaw has been, I do think we really miss that aspect of Fabian Schar’s game in particular.
Interesting to look below at the Newcastle United contracts situation.
Of those who now have only two months of their existing contracts remaining, we already know Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett are definitely leaving United. Whilst I assume Krafth, Ramsdale and Ashby will also not be here at NUFC next season.
The Newcastle United contracts situation is overall very healthy for Newcastle United, no key players giving the club any contract pressure with them all having a number of years left on their current deals.
This is how Newcastle United contracts currently look (via official club releases and media reports), when current deals are up:
Newcastle United Contracts
| Expiry Date | Players |
|---|---|
| End of June 2026 | Schar, Targett, Ashby, Trippier, Krafth, Ramsdale |
| End of June 2027 | Pope, Burn, Jacob Murphy, Willock |
| End of June 2028 | Barnes, Livramento, Bruno, Miley, Joelinton, Alex Murphy |
| End of June 2029 | Hall, Vlachodimos, Wissa, Thiaw |
| End of June 2030 | Elanga, Botman, Ramsey, Gordon, Tonali* |
| End of June 2031 | Woltemade |
* Sandro Tonali: Base contract until June 2029; club holds a unilateral trigger to extend until June 2030.