It’s game over on must be granted
BENITEZ IS KEEN TO TALK ABOUT TYNESIDE FUTURE AND HE KNOWS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO SUCCEED
RAFA Benitez is ready to start talks with Newcastle United straightaway after leading the club to their best finish since 2014.
The Magpies’ chief has just one year left on his current contract and is keen to stay on – providing Mike Ashley is prepared to match his ambition.
Benitez is not necessarily demanding a huge transfer kitty but instead wants control over how the money is spent - as well as quicker decisions on deals.
This irked the Spaniard last summer as the club missed out on early deals for Willy Caballero and Tammy Abraham.
When asked about what happens next at United, Benitez said: “It is clear what we need.
“We have a couple of players on loan who are leaving and a couple of players who have finished their contract too.
“You need to sign players to be sure you have a good squad with competition.
“There is one other thing which has been important too and t we have had this year: the medical staff, fitness coaches and sports scientists have done a great job because we have not had many injuries.
“Imagine this team with two or three injuries?
“You need to be sure you have competition and enough levels within the squad to make sure you can approach any game thinking you can win.
“It cannot be the case that if you miss one or two players the team is not the same.
“We need a squad which has to be capable of competing in the Premier League.”
Benitez was also asked about whether the club needed to react quicker this summer in the transfer window. He added: “What you have to do is the right things, it is not just about going early but making mistakes. “You have to make sure when you go, you sign the player who you need.” However, after fans chanted their desire for Benitez to stay next season, the main question for everybody connected with United is whether the former Liverpool boss will be here next term. He said: “I would say I am really pleased today and I will try to enjoy it and see how the conversations develop. “I have said all along t I want to do things sooner rather than later. “We are still talking so we will see.” However, Benitez made it clear things need to change when it comes to Newcastle’s approach in the summer. He added: “If we want to achieve something we have to understand the way to do that. “You will need some money and you will need a way to spend that money. “That is the way to improve things. “The transfer window is now very expensive and you also have to invest in the academy and the training facilities, all these things to enable you to attract players. “All these things can
make a difference.
“Maybe they will help you attract a player who turns out to be a key player.
“We have to sit down, talk and see where we are.”
So will those talks pick up this morning?
Benitez said: “Yes, I hope so.”
Mike Ashley was not in the stands and has been absent all season but many fans feel the power lies at Newcastle with only one man.
Responding to a question about whether he would meet Ashley face to face, Benitez added: “I don’t know.
“My people are speaking with Lee Charnley but I don’t know how close they are.
“They will be around (today) and maybe they will be talking to him.
“We just have to be sure that we know how close we are and carry on.”