Excessive French contingent is unhealthy says Shearer.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer says the club has too many French players.
The Toon’s loan capture of QPR’s Loic Remy brought the club’s French contingent to 11 and former Magpies player and manager Shearer believes it could have a negative impact if things go against Alan Pardew’s side.
“I don’t think it’s a healthy thing to have too many French players in one dressing room,” Shearer told the BBC.
Newcastle finish fifth bottom of the Premier League last term and begin the new season with a tricky trip to runners-up Man City.
“If things start to go against you then little cliques appear [in the dressing room],” added Shearer, who scored 206 goals in 404 games during a 10-year spell at St James’ Park before managing the club for eight games in 2009.
“I know Arsenal had a lot of French players and went on to be successful. But I don’t see Newcastle being that successful.”
But Shearer remains hopeful that Newcastle can enjoy a better season than the previous campaign.
“Last season they underachieved by finishing fifth bottom. If the truth be known, they’re somewhere in between.
“At the minute I would have them finishing 11th or 12th.”
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