Newcastle United defender Fabian Schär says he is enjoying life in the North East and believes his standing in the team has changed since his arrival.
The Switzerland international signed for the Magpies last summer in a £3.6m from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruña.
He went on to make 28 appearances in all competitions last season, starting 22 Premier League games in total and becoming a key player under Rafa Benitez.
That’s something he’s carried into this season under new manager Steve Bruce, starting all eight Premier League games to date as well as playing 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup.
The 27-year-old is in good form and thinks that’s something the Newcastle faithful are aware of.
“I do not like to talk about my position, but of course I feel that it was a good year for me,” he told Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
“The fact that I have consistently brought my performance over a season is recognised in the club and by the fans.
“I have a lot of support from them, that’s nice. And I notice that my standing in the team has changed.”
Should Schär continue to perform for the Magpies, it may not be long before a bigger club than Newcastle come knocking.
Good central defenders are not easy to come by, nor are players with as much experience as Schär can bring to the table.
He, though, isn’t thinking about that, insisting that he was happy this summer as there was no such speculation about his future.
“I stopped doing things like that (thinking of transfers), I’ve experienced too much for that,” he added.
“I know how fast everything can change. You never know what happens. At the moment I am very happy.
“I am relatively easy to satisfy: if the athletic side of things is good, I am also happy soon elsewhere.
“Last summer was the first in a couple of years that I did not have to think about where to play now, what happens. That felt good.”
