United icon’s double date at St James’
KI AND SCHAR COMPLETELY IGNORED BY BENITEZ EVEN AS MAGPIES TOIL IN LEAGUE
AT A period in Newcastle’s history when an owner running the tightest of ships scrutinises every single transfer deal, we are confronted by the curious case of three current internationals rarely seen in blackand-white since their arrivals.
Rafa Benitez has chosen to ignore – or in one case has been deprived of – the services of a trio of summer arrivals who are still playing this season for their countries.
We all know why Salomon Rondon, who arrived as our supposed No 9 saviour, has been missing – firstly through a lack of preseason training and then repeated injury.
Seen as rarely as Islam Slimani last campaign, Rondon has yet to complete 90 minutes since joining United.
But the Howard Hughes disappearance of Ki Sung-yueng and Fabian Schar has been very puzzling.
Both fit and available, Rafa has chosen to repeatedly ignore them during an eight-match winless run, though both in the last fortnight have starred for their nation.
It leaves Geordies with the conclusion Benitez does not have the final say on transfer signings, because he hardly fancies either in the way he does Martin Dubravka, Federico Fernandez, and Kenedy. Let us look more closely at the cases of Ki and Schar, both rated good enough to be selected for the World Cup finals in the summer. Indeed Ki was captain of South Korea in Russia and, despite having failed to make a single appearance for United since returning from international duty in September, he played for 85 minutes in the 2-1 defeat of Uruguay in Seoul and then the full 90 minutes against Panama, a game which ended 2-2. Ki emphasised while away that he has been fully fit, he has Premier League experience going back to partnering Jonjo Shelvey at Swansea, 108 international caps, and at 29 should be at the peak of his powers but Rafa has seen fit to start him in only two of United’s eight Premier League matches to date.
Likewise Schar – he got his first pitch time for a month when playing for Switzerland in their 2-1 loss to Belgium in Brussels, lasting the full 90 minutes. He followed that up by playing the full game again as Iceland were beaten 2-1 in Reykjavik.
The defender’s only league start for United came against Chelsea when Jamaal Lascelles was missing through injury and Rafa reverted to three centre-backs.
Schar gave away a penalty in the 76th minute with the score at 0-0 to present Chelsea with their first goal and was subbed three minutes later.
Of course, it can be argued that both fit snugly into Mike Ashley’s criteria each costing little on initial outlay. Ki was a free transfer meaning United need only pay a signingon fee and they triggered Schar’s fairly small release clause of £3.5m.
Now I’m not suggesting that Benitez is wrong to ignore them. I haven’t seen enough of them to make a decision while he sees them every day in training.
I’m merely pointing out the contradictions – their countries stay loyal to the players while their club is ready to sideline them, a clear indication the manager wasn’t pushing strongly for their signings like he was for Dubravka and Kenedy.
It’s happened before in Rafa’s twoand-a-half seasons here – Jesus Gamez and Achraf Lazaar were recruited but hardly played at all.
Every signing isn’t going to make a huge impact of course. Bob Paisley often said the secret of success at Liverpool was making the least mistakes, not none at all, and that if he signed a dud, he got rid of him as quickly as possible so fans forgot he had even been at the club.
Those who have been a success since arriving after Rafa did in March of 2016 include Dubravka, Matt Ritchie, Florian Lejeune, DeAndre Yedlin, and probably Mo Diame while he inherited current firstteamers Lascelles, Shelvey, Ayoze Perez, and Paul Dummett.
Nevertheless Benitez has been instrumental in Lascelles’ development making him one of the Premier League’s youngest ever skippers. UNITED fans old enough to remember genuine success might like to bask in old glories. Or younger guys wishing to recognise history can do likewise.
Frank Clark, who won the InterCities Fairs Cup – the Magpies’ last meaningful trophy – in 1969, is paying a visit to St James’ Park on Thursday to mingle with fellow Geordies.
Rowlands Gill-born Frank is motoring up from his Nottingham home to promote and sign his new autobiography ‘Black & White And Red All Over’.
He is doing two sessions at the Nine Bar – lunchtime and night when some of his former Fairs Cup winners and old team-mates will be lending their support.
Among those in attendance will be Bob Moncur, Malcolm Macdonald, Pop Robson, Alan Foggon and Keith Dyson. True winners.
Frank’s book is certainly getting recognised – he was due to appear on Darren Fletcher’s massively popular Friday Night Social programme last evening on Radio Five Live. Both Fletcher and Frank are members of the same gym in Nottingham.
The two sessions at the St James’ Park’s Nine Bar are at noon until 1.30pm and from 6pm for a couple of hours or so with Frank’s books on sale ready to be autographed. Admittance is free.
Frank is also due to do a signing session at the Back Page’s shop in the MetroCentre on Friday from 11am until 1pm.
A sentimental journey back to Crook Town Football Club, where Clark won the Amateur Cup, kicks it all off on Wednesday night at their social club.
Their countries stay loyal while their club is ready to sideline them – clear indication the manager wasn’t pushing strongly for their signings