Time is ticking for Rafa
RELEGATION RISK WILL INCREASE IF ASHLEY DOESN’T OPEN HIS WALLET
RAFA Benitez made it crystal clear quite some time ago that Newcastle United needed to act in the January window.
When the Magpies appointed the Spaniard they told to him that he was solely in charge of making football decisions at the club.
Back then the “head coach” sign on his new office door was removed and replaced with one that read “manager’s office” at the club’s Benton base.
But United don’t seem to be listening to his recommendations, do they?
Benitez, who is being paid £5million a year to make the big calls at Newcastle, stated on December 22 that Newcastle needed to strengthen in this window.
And after getting assurances from Mike Ashley he said he was confident that deals would be done by January 20.
Unless there’s some real action this week, that’s looking unlikely.
You would assume Benitez meant that those signings needed to be made in time for this weekend’s away trip to Manchester City in order to get players bedded in and ready for the crunch fixtures that lie in wait after the clash at the Etihad Stadium.
We’re now just five days away from that self-imposed deadline and the only transfer that seems even slightly realistic is a loan deal for Kenedy, who Chelsea are considering using in their FA Cup replay with Norwich City at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
Time is ticking in the window and we’re already halfway through the winter trading period, meaning this week is a huge one for the club.
During Benitez’s last public address – on Saturday night after the 1-1 draw with bottom club Swansea City – the former Real Madrid boss was asked about transfers. He said: “We are not closer to anyone at the moment.” Benitez is the only man that journalists are able to ask questions to, and he always responds with honesty. But right now actions speak louder than words, and those with the financial power need to fund some of the deals Benitez has requested. Therefore, it is the next few days that those around Benitez have to deliver when it comes to recruitment. He still did not know his budget going into the Swansea game and he has not spoken directly to Ashley since before Christmas.
Ashley’s close aides Keith Bishop and Justin Barnes were at the game at St James’ Park on Saturday, but whether they filtered any message down to Benitez over the weekend is unknown at the moment.
Some have asked whether the club’s board can answer the questions but Ashley doesn’t really do interviews very often and it’s been some time since the club’s managing director Lee Charnley spoke in public.
True, there are talks for a takeover going on the background, but Ashley’s legal team stated