Rafa stops himself talking
NEWCASTLE boss Rafa Benitez insists he won’t be discussing transfers unless a deal is signed, sealed and delivered.
Days after revealing his frustration at a perceived lack of urgency behind the scenes, the Toon chief introduced a self-imposed gag.
It’s a dramatic about-turn from a manager who has never been afraid to vent his feelings.
In the wake of Boxing Day’s 4-0 thrashing at former club Liverpool, when asked if any deal was close, a despondent Benitez pointedly replied “No,” before answering “Yes” to a question about whether he was concerned.
That will not have gone down well with wantaway owner Mike Ashley but Benitez is adamant there have been no orders from upstairs to keep quiet about such matters.
“I talk with Lee Charnley (Newcastle’s managing director) every day but have decided not to talk about the window,” he said.
“If I don’t talk about it then you won’t need to analyse every single word I say. I prefer not to talk too much. That is it and it is my decision.”
Benitez has previously admitted he hoped to have new signings arriving in early January.
He had been cautiously optimistic of unveiling Miguel Almiron, his
No.1 target, but it appears the chances of the Atlanta United
No.10 coming to St James’ Park have receded in recent days.
All the Spaniard would confirm in relation to ins and outs next month is that keeper Rob Elliot has been told to find a new club.
Benitez is still reeling from the Toon’s heaviest defeat of the season at Anfield and his players’ collective failure to respond to going behind.
Jonjo Shelvey is available again and could be involved at Watford today as Newcastle bid to pick up their first win of the festive period.
Ki’s fine form meant Shelvey wasn’t badly missed while he was sidelined with a thigh injury.
But with the South Korean now away on Asian Cup duty, the Magpies need a creative spark.
While Benitez would not confirm that the England outcast definitely starts, he claims there is “no chance” of him selling the player even though several Premier League clubs would be interested.
“He has been training well and now we must decide,” he added. “If you ask him now, he’ll say he is 100 per cent.
“Jonjo is an important player for us. Ki and him are the two who technically can pass a ball and keep it. They give confidence to the rest of the team and I hope he will be as important as he was last year.”
Twice in the past week, Benitez has said it will be “a miracle” if Newcastle stay up this season.
While survival remains the goal, he admits he is far from despondent at the state of affairs.
“Overall, it was fine,” he said of 2018. “To finish in the top 10 was a great achievement. Our position now is fine. It could be better, could be worse.
“If we keep the same level and maybe then improve, I think we will be fine.”