Shearer: I do not back Man United and Liverpool to challenge for the title this season; Woltemade is not suited to the Premier League

Alan Shearer spoke to betfair about Newcastle United's start to the season and the title prospects of several Premier League teams. He said he was satisfied with Newcastle's current performances and praised manager Matthias Jaissle's work; meanwhile, he described Woltemade as an "expensive mistake" for Newcastle and said Manchester United and Liverpool currently do not have the ability to challenge for the Premier League title.

On Newcastle's start to the season

Shearer said: "I am very happy with Newcastle's start to the season so far and what they did in the transfer window. I have seen enough to believe we now have 11 players who genuinely want to stay at this club, are willing to work hard and accept the manager's ideas. It was an encouraging transfer window. For those who did not want to continue here, they also sold them for very good prices."

"It looks like the players they brought in are willing to run, fight and compete, and I can accept that. I still think there will be difficult moments this season, and I think we may eventually finish around the middle of the table. However, considering the manager is still young, many players are also young, and the manager is still trying to communicate his ideas to the team, I can accept that. I have seen enough to remain optimistic."

On Jaissle

Shearer said: "So far, Matthias Jaissle has left a very deep impression on me. I think he has done very well. I think he will be happy with Newcastle's transfer window, and his start as a manager has been very, very positive. Newcastle were unlucky not to get three points against Liverpool. They had a good result in the League Cup, and away at Tottenham they had a difficult first half, fighting hard to keep it 0-0. But in the second half they completely dominated Tottenham. So yes, I think his start has been very encouraging, and hopefully this momentum continues. Alongside the new signings, Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa now also look like two new signings."

"Last season, we did not see this kind of performance from Elanga or Wissa at all. Seeing them accept the manager's ideas is very encouraging. I know they had one or two injuries before, but compared with some moments last season, they now look like completely different players."

On Woltemade

Shearer said: "Woltemade has had an excellent start at Newcastle. I have no doubt he is a talented player. But I am not sure whether he suits the intensity and pace of England's top division. I think his style may suit leagues abroad more than the Premier League."

"When the board signed him, the situation was very difficult. I would not blame one individual, but the whole situation at that time. They were backed into a corner and had to act. I think signing Woltemade was somewhat a decision made out of desperation. As I said, his start has been good. But I do not think his style suits the Premier League's intensity or its fast and aggressive way of playing."

"I do not think he has any bad intentions. I think his starting point was good and his attitude was right. The issue is simply his style of play. I hope everything goes well for him at Juventus and that he has a great season and performs well in Serie A. I have no hostility toward him and only wish him well at Juventus. He is a very good lad. I just do not think his style suits Newcastle, especially the Premier League. But without doubt, this was an expensive mistake for Newcastle."

On Enzo Fernandez and Manchester City

Shearer said: "Look at the honours Enzo Fernandez has already won—I mean, he has won the World Cup—so it is difficult to say he was not worth the transfer fee Manchester City paid for him."

"It seems to have become a trend, hasn't it? It started with his fee when he moved from Benfica, then Caicedo, then Declan Rice, and of course Elliot Anderson, and now Enzo Fernandez again. The transfer fees for midfielders have become incredibly high."

"If it is a striker, I can understand, because you spend that much money hoping they bring goals and things like that. But if it is a midfielder? Obviously, he has ability, because if you did not have something very special, you could not complete two transfers at such prices. But midfield transfer fees now really surprise me. It is unbelievable."

"You spend that much money to win the league title. So Manchester City must now be title contenders. If they do not win the league title in the end, I think the manager will come under huge pressure. You do not spend that much money just to finish second or third."

On Manchester City's related charges

Shearer said: "I have absolutely no idea how Manchester City can still spend so much money while those charges remain. I understand why so many questions are being asked; this matter has gone on for too long, hasn't it? I recently saw an interview with Richard Masters where he said he understood how everyone viewed the matter, but that the final decision had to be made by an independent commission, so I do not know either."

On Manchester United's title prospects

Shearer said: "Manchester United cannot challenge for the title, but I think they can compete for the top four. I do not think they can challenge for the title, no. I do not think they are good enough. I think they have not spent enough money and their signings are not enough to give them title-winning ability. So if they really join the title race, I would be very surprised."

On Liverpool, Manchester United and the title contenders

Shearer said: "I originally thought Liverpool had the money to sign Barcola and the ability to buy one or two more full-backs. But they invested heavily in Frimpong and Kerkez last season, and at least so far, as defenders, they have not been effective because Liverpool's defence has been really poor. I also think they have not truly solved this problem for some time. So I do not think Liverpool can challenge for the title either. I do not think they are strong enough to win it. They are behind Manchester City, and I think they are also behind Arsenal. Chelsea may have one or two defensive issues, but in my view these three teams are the real title contenders. I do not think Liverpool or Manchester United have enough strength to join the title race."

On Arsenal failing to sign a left winger

Shearer said: "Arsenal failing to sign a left winger should not affect their Premier League title challenge this season. Their recruitment has been very good, and it is clear they wanted to add another top striker. Viktor Gyokeres is a good player, but he is not yet a top-level player. That said, his performances last season were already enough to help them win the league title."

"However, signing a player like Julian Alvarez would have taken them another step forward in the Champions League. With Alvarez, Arsenal could win the league title and would have a great chance in the Champions League as well. But considering the squad they currently have, I would not feel too sorry for them because their overall recruitment has still been very, very good."

On Everton's transfer window

Shearer said: "Everton looked and sounded quite chaotic and rushed on deadline day. It was an embarrassing transfer window for the club. They signed Grealish, but Folarin Balogun was originally supposed to join and then did not, with the deal being withdrawn at the last moment. To be honest, it does not look good at all. They now need some luck and hope players do not get injured."

"What they need most now is luck, because if they lose one or two more players in attack to injury, things could become very difficult. So they have to find a way to get through until January. I do not think they will be relegated. With Moyes' experience, I think they should have enough ability to stay up. I initially seemed to have listed them as one of the teams that could compete for a Conference League place, around eighth, but after this transfer window I may need to reassess that judgement."

"I think David Moyes may be very angry about this transfer window. He did get Grealish, but the squad is far too thin in attack and in several of the most important positions. So he really needs a lot of luck and needs Thierno Barry to stay fit. I do not know how a team can put itself in a position where it has only one recognised striker. I know they signed Grealish, but he cannot play that position, and they also lost Ndiaye to Manchester City. They really need a lot of luck to get through until January. I guess Moyes will be very angry about what happened in this transfer window and what ultimately did not happen."