Mag Joselu relishing life under Benitez
Joselu is relishing working under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United – as he prepares to face former club Stoke City in the Premier League tomorrow.
The 27-year-old joined the Magpies from Stoke for a £5million fee last month, having been sold on the move after speaking to manager Benitez.
“Rafa told me to sign here,” said Joselu. “He told me many good things about the club, the city, everything. I didn’t have to think too much about it, I signed quickly and I’m here.
“They bought me. I now try to play well and to help the club win the games.”
Asked about his price tag, Joselu said: “It doesn’t matter if I cost £5million, £6million or £25million. The transfer market is crazy now. I don’t care about that.”
Joselu is happy to be working under the guidance of countryman Benitez, who will return to the dugout for the Stoke game after missing last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Swansea. Benitez watched the game from his home as he recovered from an operation. “Rafa’s a big manager in the world,” said Joselu. “When he talks about you, and he says he has followed you, it’s nice to know.
“I hope for an opportunity now. I think I played well against West Ham.”
No player has had more shots on target than Joselu, despite him having only played 188 minutes of Premier League football so far this season. Joselu, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku and Mohamed Salah have all had nine shots on target.
Aleksandar Mitrovic serves the second game of a threematch ban against Stoke.
3 Newcastle have won three of their seven home Premier League games against Stoke