Newcastle United legend Nobby Solano knows all about making the leap to Champions League status with the Magpies.
Solano was part of Sir Bobby Robson's squad in the early noughties that took their place at Europe's top table and in truth found the going tough to begin with. Indeed, three defeats in a row to Feyenoord, Juventus and Dinamo Kiev left the black and whites on the brink of elimination before they fought back to win the final three group games to reach the second phase.
The experience also saw United struggle to begin with in the Premier League with a rocky start to the 2002/03 season before Newcastle turned things around. Now, Solano is hoping Newcastle get things right in the transfer market to ensure a smooth transition back into Europe.
Solano told Chronicle Live: "It'll be an interesting season. "We're hearing about new signings coming in at Newcastle and they will need a boost here and there even after a good season.
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"The squad naturally needs to be stronger and bigger because they are playing in so many competitions. The Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup and the Premier League means you need a squad capable of fighting on two fronts.
"We found it tough in 2002 because we weren't used to playing three games a week. And it took time to adjust, maybe we needed a bigger squad.
"Last season fighting on two fronts was tough but they showed they could do it by reaching the Champions League and the Carabao Cup final.
"Eddie Howe will need to use squad rotation and it will be a new experience for him. But he coped with everything thrown his way last season."
Newcastle's return to the Champions League after a 20-year gap will see a new name in the mix for the 2023/24 draw next month. But Solano feels it will also give other teams ideas as well.
Solano said: "Everybody will have been pleased to see Newcastle break the top four cycle a little bit. A new team getting there freshens up the competition.
"But now others will believe they can do it as well. The top four again would be amazing.
"Nobody expected it last season but they done it. Everybody would have been pleased with top six last season but the bar is raised now."
Solano already feels that next season's top-four race won't just include the usual suspects like Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. But Chelsea and Spurs will be in there as well as Aston Villa and others who will be keen to hang on to the coat-tails.
Solano feels Villa will be a genuine threat to the race, he said: "Yeah you look at another of my old clubs Aston Villa. It was only going to take getting a manager of Unai Emery's quality and a few signings to get lift off.
"So Newcastle will have to keep a close eye on them. Villa now have ambition too and Emery wants to take the club to the top six at least next season.
"Remember he has already won trophies in Spain. I expect them to go for it next season but they won't be alone, Brighton, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs will come back. And I expect Brentford and another of my former teams West Ham to have a good year after winning the Europa Conference League."
