Toon linked to Baggies’ star striker
“When we went 1-0 up against Man United (in the Old Trafford game) or Chelsea we were a little bit open and we conceded.
“In the FA Cup against Chelsea we had to attack in the second half so we were open and we conceded.
“We could not manage it. The team is the key and the characteristic of the players are crucial. For me, I have to do the best for both.”
That made sense when Newcastle were where they were in February, struggling to squeeze every point.
Yet when they had Kenedy making them more expansive and Martin Dubravka allowing them to play out from the back, there was a different dimension to the side.
Could Mitrovic – or this Mitrovic, anyhow – have looked a bit more at home?
Mitrovic says he would be open to move to Fulham but it is also understood he has not shut the door on a return to Newcastle IF Benitez was to give him more opportunities.
The striker has remained respectful and even spoke to Benitez at the end of his season with Fulham – the Spaniard sending personal congratulations to the forward on winning promotion with the Cottagers.
It would be one heck of a U-turn but Benitez has always said there was nothing personal about his decision not to play Mitrovic.
If he thinks it would work for Newcastle, he would be happy to shelve his ego and work with Mitrovic again. The striker’s 18 goals last season and continued improvement internationally will be giving him food for thought – as well as pushing his value up. While United were initially looking for £20million the price is now understood to be higher. If he has a good World Cup Newcastle will be wanting closer to £30million, which is why they have not entertained quick business. If there is one thing Newcastle have always done well under Mike Ashley it is being difficult sellers and Lee Charnley will be well aware Joe Kinnear paid with his job when he undersold Yohan Cabaye.
No doubt there will be some who counsel Mitrovic should be given another shot.
Privately Benitez had spoken of the need to refresh the team and sees other options as better for Newcastle moving forward.
To get the team set up to play the way he would want them to play with Mitrovic leading the line would require serious, expensive surgery and would go against his instincts. NEWCASTLE United have been linked with a move for West Brom striker Salomon Rondon.
United’s interest in the striker is well-known, with Rafa Benitez making several enquiries abut him.
Benitez is looking for a strong target man and the Venezuelan, who was the subject of interest from United before he moved to the Baggies, has again been linked with the Magpies in a report in the Sunday press.
It claims United are one of the clubs who have registered an interest in the forward – who West Brom WILL sell this summer after suffering relegation from the Premier League.
A fee of £16m has been touted for Rondon, who has a release clause in his deal but – at 32 – would not appear to fit the profile of players who have tended to join Newcastle in the Mike Ashley era.
He scored 10 goals in all competitions last season.
Benitez is understood to be looking for someone who can play off a number 10 and complement his other strikers.
United’s interest in Thiago Maia has also been picked up in France, Lille havingturned down the initial offer from Newcastle for the ex-Santos midfielder.
Newcastle’s first bid is not disclosed but reports claim the Ligue 1 outfit need to sell to balance the books and Maia, who struggled to adapt to life in France, is one of the players who is attracting interest.
They point out Lille need to recoup around 80million euros this summer after agreeing a financial plan with Ligue 1 authorities to keep them in the league.
The 21-year-old has a contract until 2022 but could be
expendable. Jose Salomon Rondon