Benitez throwing
Newcastle manager reminds the owner of his promises over cash
IT MIGHT have been dismissed as a throwaway remark towards the end of Rafa Benitez’s analysis of Newcastle’s friendly against Hellas Verona. Except the Spaniard does not do throwaway remarks. This is a man who has been under intense media scrutiny at clubs such as Real Madrid and is only too aware how everything he says will be dissected, interpreted and relayed.
There were certainly occasions last season when Benitez shrewdly made his views public without naming names, so he knew precisely the speculation that would follow after he said: “When I decided to stay I was expecting another thing. Now we are where we are.”
It was his subtle, non-combative way of reminding owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley of their statements as he committed himself to Newcastle in May.
Ashley said at the time: “I’ve confirmed to Rafa and Lee they can have every last penny that the club generates through promotion, player sales and other means in order to build for next season.”
So far, that has amounted to just £31million – about three-fifths of a Kyle Walker – on five players and businessman Ashley, alarmed by his wage bill for players surplus to requirement, is not inclined to sanction further expenditure. But this is not sports retailing, this is football. Different rules apply and a failure to underwrite the purchase of at least three more players will not be forgiven by the Toon Army if their team struggles.
The mindset of Ashley and Charnley is reflected in their reluctance to sanction a £14m move for Arsenal’s Lucas Perez, a striker admired by Benitez, and their bid for Stoke’s Joselu has been condemned as “derisory”.
While a deal for Perez looks more likely after Fenerbahce, who agreed personal terms with the player, ended their interest because Arsenal would not accept a loan deal, it is small change compared to some of the deals completed by their rivals.
It frustrates a boss who will not be content with mere survival, the modest aim of promoted clubs.
“At the moment, I’m fully committed to do the best that I can do now,” he said yesterday. “I’m not happy, but at the same time it’s a challenge. When I decided to stay it’s because for me it’s a challenge. I’m not totally happy with what we did, but I’ll try to do my best, working very hard with people at the club to try to improve what we have at the moment. I read our fans saying, ‘We will sign a £25 m striker’. Listen, we cannot.
“Sometimes they are unavailable and, if they are available, sometimes the wages are not the same, the commission is not the same and the wages are huge. It’s so hard – the prices are crazy.”
Benitez has spent most of his managerial career around the upper reaches of Europe’s leagues and he intends to compete in the Premier League’s top half this season.
He must be concerned, though, they will be nearer the bottom if he is unable to get at least one striker, leaving him to rely on Aleksandar Mitrovic if Dwight Gayle’s injury concerns do not clear up. He also wants support for his wingers and full-backs.
So, will Benitez walk away as some fans fear? It surely will not happen in the next few weeks because he still relishes the prospect of guiding this team towards a
Fans say we will sign a £25m striker …we cannot most