Newcastle United loanee Kenedy has suggested that he would like to continue his development at parent club Chelsea once his loan agreement expires at the end of the season. Kenedy joined the Magpies on a short-term loan during the second half of the previous campaign and his performances were influential towards them beating the drop.
Newcastle United have announced their fifth signing of the summer transfer window with Yoshinori Muto joining them from Mainz. The Japan international had agreed to join the Magpies earlier in the week but an announcement was put on hold until he was assured of a work permit to feature for Rafael Benitez’s side.
Rafa Benitez says that he is looking to sign at least three players before the end of the campaign. The manager is of the opinion that a striker is of a priority for the club. Newcastle were unable to get their primary target – Alassane Plea – after Nice decided to sell him for Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday. The 25-year-old was subjected to a great amount of interest from Newcastle, who made a £20 million offer for the striker. However, Mönchengladbach were able to improve on this offer and signed the player for a fee of £ 22 million.
Newcastle United have confirmed the re-signing of Kenedy from Chelsea on a season-long loan deal. The Brazilian attacker impressed during a temporary stint with the Magpies in the backend of last season and he has now been offered another opportunity to impress under Rafael Benitez at the Tyneside outfit.
“I am so happy with this interest from Rafa Benitez that he came back for me. I want to keep it going, the work that I did here before, for the new season. I have received many, many messages on social media from the fans. They made me feel appreciated, so I wanted to come here in this new season and give everything on the pitch,” he told the club’s official website.
Continue reading Newcastle United re-sign Kenedy on loan
Burnley midfielder Steven Defour has backed former teammate Chancel Mbemba to succeed at FC Porto. The 23-year-old has been heavily tipped to leave Newcastle United to join Porto this summer and Defour, who previously played with him at Anderlecht, believes he could make a huge mark with the PrimeiraLiga outfit.
Newcastle United head coach Rafael Benitez has admitted that Fernando Torres could be an attractive summer option for the club, though he is unclear whether the veteran would prefer a return to the Premier League. Torres built a reputation for himself during his top-flight stints with Liverpool and Chelsea, and Benitez had the opportunity to work with the Spaniard at both of those clubs.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly waiting on Chelsea’s decision on Kenedy as he looks to bolster the club’s defence during the winter transfer window. The Brazilian has sparingly been used by Antonio Conte this term with most of his gametime coming in the Cup competitions.
According to Chronicle Live, Benitez is looking to do business with his former club with Kenedy identified as a potential recruit, who could strengthen their chances of Premier League survival. However, any kind of deal is yet to be sorted out with the Blues with Conte reluctant to lose Kenedy for the moment.
Continue reading Rafael Benitez waiting on Chelsea’s decision on Kenedy
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba must show a lot of consistency over several years in order to be regarded in the same breath as Steven Gerrard, according to Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard had years of experience of managing the Liverpool midfielder, who is arguably one of the best in the Premier League of the recent generation. Paul Pogba may have joined United for a then-world record £ 90 million transfer fee, but he has split public opinion since then. There have been good performances from the Frenchman, but they have been for a few between.
In order to be regarded as a success in the Premier league, consistency is the key, according to Benitez. After having spent a couple of years at ways clubs like Napoli, Benitez returned to English football with Newcastle. Despite relegation from the top division, Benitez helped the club get promotion straight away. Since the return to the top flight, Newcastle have been relatively comfortable but the team lost 4-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford. It turned out to be with customary defeat at the hands of the Red Devils – even with Benitez on board. During his days at Liverpool, Benitez had an intense rivalry with United. It was largely due to the title challenge that both teams were facing. Now, however, both clubs are at different ends of the spectrum.
Continue reading Pogba Must Show a Lot of Consistency to Match Gerrard, Claims Benitez
Despite the appointment of former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez in March, Newcastle United will be scrapping it out in the Championship next season.
The Magpies finished in the bottom three for the second time in just seven years, but the fact that Benitez has agreed to remain in charge at St. James’ Park will help ensure the attraction of fresh talent in the club’s bid for an instant return to the Premier League.
Here are some potential new recruits on Tyneside that could see Newcastle bounce straight back to English football’s top-flight.
Patrick Bamford
Newcastle’s search for a new prolific marksman could lead them to placing their faith in 22-year-old Patrick Bamford. The Chelsea youngster spent the first half of last season on-loan at Crystal Palace before being recruited by Norwich, but it was largely a very frustrating campaign for Bamford who only managed a total of two league starts.
Bamford’s disappointment will undoubtedly motivate him to prove his credentials at the highest level and Benitez will be well aware of the young forward’s track record in England’s second tier – Bamford netted 17 league goals for Middlesbrough during the 2014/2015 season. Such goal-scoring ability in a division as tightly-contested as the Championship comes at a price, and Bamford’s services are estimated to cost in the region of £10m.
Daniel Ayala
Top of Benitez’s summer wish-list will surely be a new centre-back and Middlesbrough’s Daniel Ayala is a player that he knows all about from his days at Liverpool – Benitez brought his fellow Spaniard to Anfield back in 2007.
Newcastle have allegedly already made an enquiry about the 25-year-old, who is believed to carry a hefty price tag of around £15m. But Ayala, who was named in last year’s Football League Team of the Season, is central to Boro’s Premier League plans after their seven-year absence from the top-flight. The promising defender will therefore need to be persuaded by his former boss that a brighter future lies ahead of him at St. James’ Park than at the Riverside.
Kamil Glik
Torino captain Kamil Gilk has reportedly been monitored by Newcastle for several months now, and the hope is that the Polish centre-half will be tempted to Tyneside by the prospect of playing in the Premier League in the near future. It is thought that the Italian side, whom Glik helped get promoted in 2012, would be prepared to sell their skipper for a bid around the £8m mark.
With Glik set to be at the heart of Poland’s defence at Euro 2016, Newcastle will certainly be watching their supposed target with particular interest over the coming weeks. If the 28-year-old manages to impress during the tournament, no doubt Newcastle will not be the only club eager to secure his signing.
Will Hughes
England U-21 man Will Hughes has apparently been shortlisted by Newcastle to compensate for the probable departure of the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.
The Derby County midfielder burst into the spotlight during the 2012/2013 campaign and has long been subject to open admiration from potential suitors. The Magpies are the latest side to be linked with a move for the 21-year-old, even though Hughes only managed to make six Championship starts last term due to a serious knee injury. Given Hughes’ likely England aspirations, he might find the opportunity to play under the experienced Benitez one that is too invaluable to turn down should an offer be made.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Another former Benitez favourite could also be heading to the Toon – former Spain right-back Alvaro Arbeloa. Just like Ayala, it was Benitez who was responsible for introducing Arbeloa to the English game, and the 33-year-old would be available on a free transfer this summer after his contract with Real Madrid expired at the end of last season.
Newcastle are in the market for a right-back, with Daryl Janmaat widely expected to be heading for the exit door after only two seasons at St. James’ Park. Whether or not Arbeloa, whose personal honours include two Champions League titles and a World Cup winner’s medal, can be convinced that he’s not too good a player for the Championship is less certain.
Fabricio Coloccini has rejected suggestions that Newcastle United’s poor form has been down to the lack of leadership in the team.
After the appointment of Steve McClaren in the summer, positivity was expected at St James’s Park. However, it took the club more than 10 games in order to get the first league win under the new manager.
There is an opportunity for Newcastle to build on this victory once again as the takeover Leicester City at home. Even though Leicester are flying high in the table, Coloccini and his team are confident of getting a result.
Ahead of the match, the Argentine defender rejected claims that the poor performance has been down to the lack of captains within the team. Coloccini claims that there is a lot of leadership within Newcastle and it is not necessarily exhibited through shouting on the pitch. The win against Bournemouth helped move Newcastle just one point above the relegation zone. Their situation remains critical and the club needs victories soon.