Mixed start to life in United colours for boys of summer as signings adapt to life under Rafa
How have Newcastle United’s six summer acquisitions performed so far? Chris Waugh gives his verdict on each of the new boys
IT IS now six weeks since Newcastle United’s underwhelming summer transfer window came to an end.
Though six additions did arrive during the summer, Rafa Benitez had hoped to make far more substantive changes to his squad.
The Spaniard insists United’s summer signings have improved the quality of his squad – and that each of the six offers the Magpies “something different”.
But he stresses that due to the age profile and past record of the summer acquisitions, it will take some of them, like Jacob Murphy, a little time to adapt to the Premier League.
Alongside winger Murphy, United also signed centre-back Florian Lejeune, fullback Javier Manquillo, forward Joselu, midfielder Mikel Merino on an initial season-long loan deal from Borussia Dortmund, as well as securing the permanent acquisition of Christian Atsu.
Here, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh assesses how each of the half-a-dozen summer signings have fared so far.
CHRISTIAN ATSU 7/10
Some Magpies supporters, perhaps understandably, do not count Atsu as an additional summer signing in his own right, given the fact the Ghanaian (right) had been on Tyneside on a season-long loan last season.
But Benitez did make the decision to enact the £6.5m clause in that contract to bring the winger to Tyneside permanently. Eyebrows were raised in some quarters, given Atsu’s mixed form last term, but as the campaign progressed he continued to improve – and, following a full pre-season under Benitez’s tutelage, the 25-year-old looks much improved. In and out of the team last term, Atsu is now first choice on the left-wing for Benitez and, though some of his frustrating inconsistencies persist, he is adding a final product to his game. Direct and now willing to hit the byline whenever he can, he has delivered a goal and an assist so far this season. There’s still progress to be made yet, but Atsu is looking like a bargain during an inflated summer window – just as Benitez stressed himself. FLORIAN LEJEUNE 6/10 The French centre-back signed from Eibar in a £8.8m deal – albeit a protracted one – once the summer transfer window opened and he was one of the four priority additions Benitez wanted to make. A ball-playing defender, Lejeune (left) was recruited in order to provide competition in defence and also to add another dimension to the Magpies side. After an impressive pre-season in which he appeared to establish himself as Benitez’s first-choice centreback, the 26-year-old agonisingly suffered an ankle injury during the season opener against Tottenham Hotspur. The 34 minutes he lasted against Spurs remains the only competitive action he has been afforded so far this season, and Lejeune will hope to earn another opportunity after the international break. Despite his lack of action, the fact Lejeune impressed during pre-season and his mere presence appears to have forced Jamaal Lascelles to raise his level once more, so therefore he still merits a reasonable rating.
JACOB MURPHY 4/10
Newcastle’s most expensive summer acquisition at £10m – possibly rising to £12m – the former England Under-21 winger is seen as a player with a very bright future. Raised as a Magpies fan, Murphy (below) himself is delighted to have joined his boyhood club, although he will hope he starts seeing more action soon enough. Murphy has made just two starts in all competitions so far this season and has seen only 71 minutes of action, with Benitez preferring Atsu and Matt Ritchie as his starting wingers. Yet, as he stressed this week, Benitez sees Murphy as a player for the future – someone who the United manager is working hard with in training. The 22-year-old remains raw in many areas and is still adapting to the defensive duties he must show in the Premier League.
As the season progresses and he spends more time with Benitez’s backroom staff, we should see more and more of the exciting youngster.
JAVIER MANQUILLO 6/10
Of all of Newcastle’s six summer signings, perhaps none drew more scepticism from supporters than the £3.5m acquisition of Manquillo.
The 23-year-old had struggled on loan at Sunderland last season and was regarded as a failure at Liverpool too – but Benitez saw potential in the young Spaniard.
Given that Benitez wanted additional full-back cover – he desired another player signed on top of just Manquillo – then it made sense to recruit someone who is cheap, can play on both defensive flanks and has plenty of room for improvement.
Had DeAndre Yedlin not suffered a hamstring injury during pre-season, then Manquillo would have started the season on the bench – but instead the Spaniard (below) was needed in the first team.
Four appearances at right-back and one at left-back have been promising so far and, though clearly there is work to do to improve his defensive work, in attack he offers a lot to United’s game.
MIKEL MERINO 9/10
Already a firm fans’ favourite, the Spaniard has been the pick of the Magpies’ summer signings. Brought in on an initial seasonlong loan deal from Borussia Dortmund, Merino will automatically earn a permanent Newcastle contract if certain clauses are enacted. To highlight just how impressive Merino has been this season, he is already seen as a creative alternative for Jonjo Shelvey – something United simply did not have last term.
Despite being just 21 years of age and having no previous Premier League experience, Merino has adapted to the English top flight almost instantaneously.
Technically proficient and blessed with an excellent range of passing, Merino looks to play the ball forward whenever possible.
He is also physical and does a lot of defensive work, showing the same edge which served Yohan Cabaye so well in midfield for United.
The Spain Under-21 international has been caught in possession on occasion and is yet to score or provide an assist, but the cultured midfielder has played a key role in some of Newcastle’s goals so far this season.
Most encouragingly for Magpies supporters, Merino has shown he is able to play alongside Shelvey too – meaning United could play with dual playmakers regularly going forward.
JOSELU 7/10
Newcastle fans were hopeful that a star name would arrive to lead the line over the summer, so the £4.8m signing of Joselu was underwhelming for many. The 27-year-old (left) has shown glimpses of his talent at Real Madrid and in Germany, but his stint at Stoke City was hardly prolific. But Benitez and his scouting team had identified a player they believe they can polish and turn into a genuine Premier League performer. It has been a mixed start to life on Tyneside for Joselu – he has scored twice, but also missed four golden opportunities in back-toback matches – though his allround contributions have been impressive. Clearly there is still work to do on his conversion rate, but it seems that Benitez has found a striker who suits his desired system.