Give Rafa cash to splash, Ash
BACK BENITEZ AND HE’LL GET TOON FLYING AGAIN, SAYS LEGEND KETSBAIA
NEWCASTLE
That is the view of former Geordie favourite Temuri Ketsbaia 20 years on from the club’s last appearance in the Champions League.
The Georgian midfielder (inset, bottom) was best known for the pounding he gave to the advertising boards after coming off the bench to score the winner against Bolton that same season.
And he believes Rafa Benitez will feel like doing something similar after the club’s minimal outlay so far in this summer’s transfer window.
The Spaniard revealed his frustration at what he described as a “crazy market” last week, with only two new players arriving in the North East since the club’s promotion back in May.
The signings of Christian Atsu from Chelsea and Eibar defender Florian Lejeune are hardly the big-name captures that St James’ Park regulars were anticipating.
Ketsbaia, 49, believes it is a sign of how competitive things have become – and how tough things could be for Newcastle if they don’t splash the cash.
But if they do, then the Georgian is backing Benitez to bring back some happy memories for those who recall a time when Newcastle were challenging at the right end of the table. “Newcastle is a big, big club
and they deserve to be near the top of the Premier League,” said Ketsbaia, now the manager of Russian club FC Orenburg.
“And Benitez is a world-class manager, one of the best there is. But he has a very difficult job because the top players now prefer to go to either Manchester or London – Newcastle isn’t on their radar.
“When we were in the Champions League, we were able to attract players, such as Tino Asprilla and David Ginola, players at the absolute top of their game. “Now times have changed. For Newcastle to attract the best players, they must pay more money than other sides because the club is a much tougher sell than it once was.
“If Benitez can get the players he wants in, then Newcastle can build a team capable of finishing in the top 10.
“First, they need to stay in the Premier League this season – that has to be the aim. “The Champions League is a long way off, but in Benitez they have a manager who can stabilise the club and get it looking up rather than down.”
Mike Ashley (inset, top) promised Benitez he could have “every last penny the club generates” to restore some sheen to a reputation tarnished by over a decade of underachievement.
Benitez went some way to restoring the morale of the Geordie faithful last season by helping the club to promotion at the first time of asking.
But the shifting sands of the top flight mean Newcastle face a battle to make waves in the Premier League on their return.