Players’ fatigue may Spur on the Magpies
THEY think it is all over. It is now! Or is it just about to start?
The World Cup finals in Russia have been confined to the record books - but unbelievably in 26 days time the new Premier League season will be unveiled in all its pomp and glory.
Newcastle begin at home to Spurs and will be hoping the World Cup has an adverse affect on their opponent’s PL curtain-raiser.
Because an awful lot of Tottenham stars ought to be knackered.
NINE were still involved over the last weekend of World Cup competition - by far the heaviest presence from any single club.
That is virtually a full team, which means a genuine headache for Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Pre-season training?
They are more ready for their summer holidays for goodness sake!
The exhausted nine who took part in either the bronze medal play-off match or the final itself are - England: Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose. Belgium: Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Mousa Dembele. France: Hugo Lloris.
England and captain Kane in particular were running on empty against Belgium both mentally and physically and are in dire need of a long break.
United, of course, have no such problems.
Rafa Benitez’s concern and concentration is on the transfer market and much-needed new signings with his deadline August 9 rather than 11.
That is considerably shorter than in recent years when players could be bought up to August 31.
How much Newcastle are lagging behind their competitors thanks to the vice-like financial grip of Mike Ashley is amply demonstrated by the list of every PL club’s record signings compiled to coincide with the upcoming new season.
Of the 20 clubs who will take part, 14 of them have broken their transfer record in the past year.
Only Brighton and Cardiff have a lower figure than United, whose club record was set way back before Ashley took charge 11 years ago. What does that tell us?
Brighton are threatening to break their transfer record yet again which would be for the third window in a row - while Cardiff have already shown ambition with £25m spent so far compared to £4m by the Mags.
Benitez has already talked of wanting four new faces in no time at all and his midfield area has been further complicated with Isaac Hayden wishing to follow Mikel Merino out of the door.
Thank goodness Ki has come in though now maybe centre midfield still needs beefing up.
United’s ceiling of £16m was established 13 long years ago when Michael Owen arrived. Every other PL club have hit their peak in the last five years, most very recently.
So who is out of step? Ashley or the other 19 top-flight clubs?
It is more ammunition for Benitez in his on-going war of words with United’s owner. Not that it seems to make a ha’porth of difference!