Language is no barrier to good players
Chief Sports Writer RAFA Benitez says he has no qualms about new boy Florian Lejeune’s ability to communicate with team-mates during Newcastle United’s pre-season programme.
The centre-back is set to make his debut in tomorrow night’s friendly with Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle.
And Benitez will have no hesitation when it comes to throwing him in at the deep end in the Scottish capital.
Speaking ahead of the clash with the Scottish Premiership side, Benitez said: “He can talk Spanish so it’s easy for him.
“At the end of the day you just have to play your football.
“The first few days have seen him take his English lessons and he’s quite keen to learn.”
Reflecting on his first few days at Newcastle, Lejeune said: “It has been about trying to get to know the other players and try to improve my English and my relationship with them.”
Newcastle have sold all 1,300 of their tickets for the clash in Edinburgh.
Hearts skipper Christophe Berra said: “They’ve just got promoted and have great players.
“In one of my last games for Ipswich we beat them 3-1 at Portman Road, so I’ve got good memories of that.
“Their team is full of international players so it’ll be a tough game for us, but it’s one we’re looking forward to. It’s another game to build towards the first competitive game of the season.”