It’s not just about data, I want to hear the thud of boot on ball

RAFA BENITEZ likes to hear the thud of boot on ball to assess his players.

The Toon chief uses mountains of data to monitor his stars but says there is nothing more reliable than his own eyes... and ears.

The Spaniard says he can tell if a player has struck the ball sweetly just by the sound it makes.

“It’s not just what the data is telling you. It’s the feeling,” he said.

“I can hear when you are kicking the ball properly or not (he smacks his hands together) just by the sound. I like to see players. You can’t lose the human touch.”