Major changes unlikely off the pitch but still cause for hope
Chief Newcastle United Writer LEE RYDER answers reader questions on the Magpies’ future, Rafa Benitez’s plans if he stays beyond this season, the next cab off the rank at the academy and whether or not Miguel Almiron should start on Saturday
Will we see massive changes this summer, in the playing squad, board, academy, management staff?
Once the three loan deals Newcastle have expire, there will be some sizeable gaps in the squad and if the board refuse to spend money on Rondon, they will have to come up with a replacement.
Even if Rafa Benitez decides to sign the contract that doesn’t have all the assurances he wants, I know he wants to sign at least four or five new faces to freshen up the squad for next season.
But as the contract offer stands now, it does not contain any assurances on academy or training ground improvements.
Benitez will stick with his current backroom staff if he remains.
Do you think some of the criticism Martin Dubravka received was unfair?
There was an angry backlash after Wolves but at no stage did I say he should be dropped.
I agree that he has earned Newcastle a lot of points but he’s had a shaky start to the year, something he has admitted and Rafa Benitez insisted he can do better. Dubravka shook the hand of every reporter who went to Spain last week so there’s no animosity behind the scenes with the media. For him – and the rest of the United squad, it’s all about Huddersfield and he should start on Saturday after a small break in Spain.
What’s the latest on a potential NUFC takeover? Any new noise from the Kenyon camp?
The need for Peter Kenyon to make his move and break his silence couldn’t be greater.
Owner Mike Ashley claims it’s an easy deal to do if Kenyon and his consortium have the money but they have struggled to produce the funds.
As such, Ashley is now starting to look ahead to next season – but the club is still very much on the market for those who have £300million in their account, plus funds to buy players over the next few windows.
Would you start with Almiron on Saturday?
Yes. An emphatic yes at that.
He suffered a little bit of stick for his performance against CSKA Moscow but I don’t agree.
He looked good on the ball on a really difficult pitch in blustery conditions. Benitez may see him an impact sub but he’s fit enough and focused enough to start against Huddersfield.
Do you think there’s any chance of Kenedy signing permanently now given his recent form? Would you pay £30million based on this season?
I probably wouldn’t but Benitez might see it differently and knows if he gets a good pre-season under his belt and accepts that Newcastle is the best club for him next season. There is still plenty of talent waiting to be tapped into for the Brazilian so here’s to a strong end to the season for Kenedy.
Is there anyone ready to follow in Sean Longstaff’s footsteps and graduate from the academy?
Sean Longstaff has been in a good place for quite a while now but his success didn’t come from nowhere.
He’s worked his socks off behind the scenes and went out on loan to earn his crack at first-team life at United. It wasn’t handed to him by any stretch of the imagination.
So who comes next? I would say that Kelland Watts, Matty Longstaff or keeper Nathan Harker are close but could all do with loan spells at the right clubs.
Will Mike Ashley be at the Huddersfield match on Saturday? Is he interested in the club at all?
Ashley often decides at the last minute whether or not he will attend but on the back of signing Miguel Almiron on deadline day, the Sports Direct supremo might want to take a close look at his new star attraction’s home debut. With Ashley, we are dealing with a man who is keen to make a profit so therefore he is interested in the club because of that.
Is he is as passionate as the fanbase?
Obviously not, because if he was he would have handed Benitez his new deal and brought in five or six new players in January.
Where has the money gone?
Newcastle’s coffers have been boosted by buckets full of TV money and merit money in recent times not to mention profit on player sales.
Ashley said – on the record – that Benitez could have every penny generated to spend on the team.
It feels like it hasn’t been the case but Ashley continues to reject interviews with the local press and duck the question.
There is a lot of money there clearly but we are still waiting to see a huge spending spree.