Newcastle can learn lessons from Chelsea & what might be one day

European champions at St James' Park? Newcastle United and their fans dream of it one day, and they got a glimpse of where they need to be on Saturday as Chelsea swept them aside without getting into top gear.

Newcastle fans are still basking in becoming the world's richest club and who wouldn't be? But seeing Chelsea in action only highlighted the harsh realties of where they currently are.

Back in 2003 when Chelsea were bought by Roman Abramovich, they could only dream of where they are now, but this Newcastle team and are a lot worse than what the famed Russian oligarch first invested in nearly 20 years ago.

Newcastle United are in huge trouble, let's get that right - this squad is poor, really poor and they are now one of only two sides without a win so far this season. But this Chelsea game was always going to be one hope of getting something rather than a necessity.

However, even with this loss, there was still a tangible sense within the crowd that they were watching what could be - where they could be one day, although this display does show how far.

The investment that is coming their way, sooner, rather than later, still promises huge things but it can't come soon enough.

Newcastle fans' claims of how bad they have had it, are clearly coming from a place of passion and a belief that is accurate - but for the rest of football they fall on death ears to a certain degree.

You only need look down the River Tyne to the Wear and Tees to see what real footballing depravity is...Sunderland still languishing in the third tier of English football, that is hardship - Saturday a prime example. Yes, Newcastle were losing to Chelsea, but their bitter local rivals were losing to Birmingham City and Rotherham United respectively.

But now it is about looking forward for Newcastle, they have swept away Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce, the two men who they really wanted out and they have got their wish, but things have to change quickly on the pitch.

Newcastle need to build now, and yes that means millions do need to be spent in January - even looking at Chelsea's bench highlights the gulf in class. Every one of Chelsea's outfield substitutes would improve the Magpies and get into their starting XI.

But as a club they need to think about the long-term foundations and Chelsea are a fine example and it is not just about money.

Chelsea's display came courtesy of some brilliance from a host of home grown products. Reece James was brilliant with two goals, whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi was also superb.

Newcastle having homegrown talent is key going forward, but high quality home-grown products is what is needed - but as Chelsea have shown this is a long-road, but they also provide something of a template of how to become a European and world force.

Newcastle fans need to have patience, and if this team don't improve soon that could be a hard thing for them to put up with. But they need to stay with them.

It looks pretty certain that things could get harder before they get better - but the fact over 50,000 home fans watched again, can only give every confidence that everyone is behind this new project.

But being in Newcastle it is hard not to wish them luck. I don't think their fans deserve their takeover and money more than any other, but I do think they will probably enjoy it more than most.

And they only need to look back to Chelsea, they had the dream of conquering Europe back in 2003, and they succeeded and they are still living their dream - now it is up to Newcastle to fulfil their potential.