Ritchie more than happy to wing it and he has lot to thank Benitez for
TOON STAR HAS NO REGRETS
MATT Ritchie admits he enjoyedplaying as a No 10 for Newcastle United in a friendly earlier this month – but believes his best position remains out on the wing.
The 28-year-old has been used primarily as a wideman by Rafa Benitez during his first two seasons on Tyneside, with the Scotland international most frequently deployed on the right.
But during Newcastle’s 1-1 friendly draw with Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp in Spain, Ritchie spent part of the match as a No 10 or even as a second striker behind Joselu.
Some fans have often wondered whether Ritchie’s vision and workrate could make him ideally suited to filling that problem No 10 position for United. And, although Ritchie is willing to
assume such a role long term, he believes he is more accomplished providing goals and assists from out on the wing.
“I really enjoyed playing the No 10 role for the first time when we played Antwerp,” Ritchie told The Scotsman when he was asked about the tactical experiment Benitez
(right) adopted during United’s mid-season friendly.
“Most of the time I have been playing out wide and really enjoy it. I will play anywhere on the pitch but my position is a wideman, either left or right.
“The last few years I have played more on the right and enjoyed it.”
Ritchie excelled during Newcastle’s Championship-winning campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists. But the former Bournemouth winger had to wait until February before netting a goal – yet now he has two in successive home matches, as well as scoring another in that Antwerp draw. Ritchie also has five assists, although he has played a crucial role in a significantly higher number of goals, and he has praised Benitez’s “attention to detail” – citing that as a crucial reason behind his improvement. “It has been a real learning curve for me personally. His record speaks for itself,” Ritchie said of working under Benitez. “The attention to detail we get given is incredible. He has certainly improved me as a player. I feel like I have developed under him.” Some Scotland supporters questioned Ritchie’s decision to leave Bournemouth, who had just survived in the Premier League, for Newcastle – who had just been relegated – during the summer of 2016.
But the £12m winger insists he has “no regrets” and still envisages Newcastle rising higher up the table if they can secure top-flight survival.
“Newcastle is a massive club and playing in front of 52,000, week-in week-out, it’s fantastic,” Ritchie added.
“I started quite well and that always helps with a few goals. It’s been a real successful period in my career.
“Yes, it was a risk to leave Bournemouth because together we had a fantastic group of players, staff – a real family club and a great feeling about the place.
“To leave Bournemouth where I only live half-an-hour down the road, it was a tough decision but I wanted to test myself and play in front of a big crowd and I have no regrets.”