Newcastle United are still three or four players away from competing… but they should have enough to survive
Rafa Benitez built a squad in the Championship to achieve one objective – promotion – but now it's all about Prem survival
Sponsored by
THE 2016-17 campaign finished in sizzling fashion for Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United.
They swiped the Championship title from a faltering Brighton on the final day of the season.
But after an uninspiring transfer window and constant reports of unrest between the manager and the owner, the mood on Tyneside has turned a little lukewarm.
Rafa Benitez built a squad in the Championship to achieve one objective – promotion.
And even though the Magpies finished up as champions, that squad was never going to be good enough to compete in England’s elite division.
Rafa knew that, the fans knew that and even Mike Ashley knew that, saying the manager could have ‘every last penny’ to build a team capable of competing.
A signing that was always on the cards was the permanent arrival of Christian Atsu who had impressed after a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Then, after some frustrating and drawn-out discussions between Newcastle and Eibar, former Manchester City defender Florian Lejeune signed to bolster the Toon backline.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
The big Frenchmen endured a torrid time at Eastlands and will have a point to prove in the Premier League.
He has been one of the most impressive players in preseason and has the potential to be a superb signing.
After more frustration and even more links, Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo joined up with the squad in Dublin to put pen to paper.
Murphy performed extremely well against the Mags on both occasions last season but has yet to show his full potential.
One would surmise the wideman will be on the peripheral of the NUFC first team this season behind the likes of Atsu, Aarons and Ritchie.
Manquillo is another who has been unconvincing in recent seasons in England.
Poor stints at Liverpool and Sunderland made the Spaniard a surprise choice by Benitez; but the full-back was outstanding against Hellas Verona and could prove a shrewd addition.
The latest player through the black and white gates is Spanish Under-21 international Mikel Merino, signing on a season loan from Borussia Dortmund.
The young centre midfielder arrived in Germany after impressing in Osasuna’s first team, but found it difficult to break in to the first-team last season, making just eight appearances.
It’s difficult to see Merino breaking into Newcastle’s midfield too; Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey are likely to be Benitez’s stalwarts.
But Rafa does like to rotate his team, especially for the cup competitions.
So Merino will get minutes under his belt and it is up to him to impress enough to complete the 20-game threshold Dortmund have set to make the switch to St James’ Park permanent.
So, "Every last penny"? Not quite.
But the club did miss out on a huge season for TV money last year and thus cannot compete with some of the manic fees other Premier League clubs are paying.
The Newcastle board are notorious for ‘penny-pinching’ and continue to try and do deals on the cheap, in a market where prices and demand has never been higher.
Benitez is desperate to add more players to the squad and most fans would agree it is some three or four players away from being strong enough to compete.
By that, the prime objective is survival.
The Toon are desperate for another striker, at the very least – Messrs Joselu and Lucas Perez carry most weight in the links sections currently.
Without one, they are incredibly weak up top, with only Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic comfortable leading the line.
There’s undoubtedly enough quality in the Toon’s first XI to survive in the Premier League, but as a squad they’re weak.
Injuries to key players could have severe repercussions, especially up front and at the back.
But, Benitez will have the team very well-drilled and he is after all the most elusive component of Newcastle United… if he stays.
Prediction: 15th
Have you signed up to play fantasy football yet?
If the answer is no you need to take a long, hard look at yourself.
Because the Dream Team game – the UK’s biggest fantasy football game – is back and better than ever this season.
You’ve got a £50m budget to pick 11 players, with all the biggest new signings ready and raring to go ahead of a mouthwatering new Premier League campaign.
So what are you waiting for?