Alan Shearer Backs Chelsea Clash for Newcastle in Champions League Round of 16

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has tipped a last-16 meeting with Chelsea rather than Barcelona as the more navigable route for his former club after the Magpies secured their place in Monday’s draw by sweeping past Qarabag in the play-off round.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer was asked outright whether he would prefer Eddie Howe’s side to face the Blues or the five-time European champions. “I think because of probably slightly better chance of going through against Chelsea than maybe Barcelona,” the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer said. “Although Barcelona’s high line might suit the pace of Newcastle up front. But I think realistically, chance wise, Chelsea.”

The verdict lands just as the draw prepares to pair Chelsea with one of the teams that finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase. Newcastle head into the hat after scoring nine goals across their tie with Qarabag, while Paris Saint-Germain—another potential opponent for the Londoners—advanced past neighbours Monaco.

Chelsea’s own group-stage form was patchy yet contained a statement 3-0 victory over Barcelona, achieved despite Enzo Maresca’s side fielding no recognised striker. Under interim guidance from Liam Rosenior, the Blues also recorded a crucial away win against Antonio Conte’s Napoli to squeeze into the top eight, a result that ultimately spared them an extra knockout round.

History offers encouragement to Rosenior as he attempts to steer the club deep into the competition in his first season. Chelsea twice lifted the trophy after mid-season managerial changes—Roberto Di Matteo replacing Andre Villas-Boas in 2012 and Thomas Tuchel taking over from Frank Lampard in 2021—and the current hierarchy will hope another reshuffle can inspire a similar surge.

With the new Champions League format increasing the likelihood of heavyweight ties earlier in the knockout phase, Newcastle supporters may yet get the Stamford Bridge showdown Shearer believes gives them the best chance of progression.