Tag: Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benitez refuses to rule out Premier League comeback

Former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has said that he is focused on doing his job with Dalian Yifang, although he would prefer a return to the United Kingdom in the future. The Spanish tactician had managed the Magpies for the past three-and-a-half seasons but he decided against penning a new contract beyond last month after he was aware that owner Mike Ashley won’t spend big in the transfer market.

Since then, Benitez has linked up with Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang but he has hinted that he could favour a Premier League return with the Magpies or any other club, he said: “I expect to do well with Dalian Yifang and after that to come back to the UK. I don’t know when. But you are always happy to come back where people appreciate your effort and commitment – and Newcastle United’s fans have been one of the best in my management career.I can only offer them my gratitude. I showed my commitment from day one and they supported me all the time – even when things on the pitch were not going well. They supported the team and me. I sincerely hope they can achieve their potential. They deserve the best they can get.”

In the past two years, the Magpies have found themselves in a relegation muddle during the opening half of the campaign but they have managed to come up with a strong backend to the season to avoid the drop. Much of that credit has gone to Benitez, who has kept the team motivated and it remains to be seen whether the new manager can do the same.

Aside from Benitez, the Magpies have made the surprise decision to sell Ayoze Perez to Leicester City and that could leave a huge void on the attack front next season, considering the club may also be without Rondon. Rondon excelled during the second half of the loan stint from West Bromwich Albion last term and there are suggestions that West Ham United could beat them to the striker’s permanent signature this summer.

Connolly urges Longstaff to stay with Newcastle a little longer

Former Sunderland striker David Connolly has advised Sean Longstaff to remain with Newcastle United for a little longer in order to develop into a top-class performer. The 21-year-old only made his full Premier League debut for the Magpies earlier in the year but he has managed to sufficiently impress to catch the eye of Manchester United.

As such, he has recently been touted to make a big-money move to the Red Devils but Connolly feels the midfielder would be better served sticking with the Magpies for a lengthier period, he said: “I think he is a terrific young player, I really do. I think he has got a really bright future ahead of him, but I think he would be best served just going and playing a little bit longer at Newcastle.”

The Red Devils are understood to be planning an initial bid worth £18m for the midfielder with an additional £7m to be settled as performance-based add-ons. Even if they succeed with the approach, it remains unclear whether Longstaff would agree to the transfer, given he has recently indicated that he is committed to the Magpies after making a long-awaited journey to the first-team.

Aside from Longstaff, United are also understood to be interested in signing Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and reports suggest that they have already found the breakthrough in terms of the transfer fee. The Red Devils are deemed to have agreed on a £60m deal with the Eagles and there are suggestions that the move could be made official during the next few days.

Meanwhile, the Magpies remain unclear over the summer transfer plans as they await to find out whether there would be a change in ownership. Likewise, the future of manager Rafael Benitez remains under doubt with his existing contract due to expire at the end of the month.

BBC pundit warns Sean Longstaff against leaving Newcastle

BBC pundit Kevin Kilbane has warned Sean Longstaff against pursuing a move away from Newcastle United during this summer’s transfer window. The midfielder only made his debut for the Magpies in December but he has managed to make a huge impression around the Premier League with the gametime he has been offered.

In a report covered by BBC Sport, Kilbane said that Longstaff has the credentials to become a top player but it is too early for him to think about the prospect of playing for a big club like Manchester United, he told: “A good player. It’s still too early in my mind. He’s not played enough football, certainly at the top level. The games that I have seen him play, very good footballer and a technically good footballer [But] it’s too early for that one [Longstaff to United]. Bad idea [for] now.”

Longstaff made only eight appearances for the Magpies last season but he managed to produce several standout performers before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. As such, United have been claimed as one of the high-profile clubs after his signature and it remains to be seen whether  Longstaff is tempted by the prospect.

The Magpies are currently said to value the midfielder at around £25m and that should be well within the reach of United, who are aiming to pursue a recruit to bolster the centre of the park. Nonetheless, Longstaff has no assurances of gametime unlike at the Magpies, where he was able to cement a regular role following his debut and that could hamper his development at such an early phase of his career. Meanwhile, Newcastle United managed to stay clear of the Premier League drop zone for the second-straight campaign last term and the supporters will be hoping that the team can re-invest more funds to cement their top-flight status for another season at the least. Prior to that, they need to sort out the future of influential manager Rafael Benitez, whose contract expires next month.

Isaac Hayden speaks on his Newcastle United career and Rafael Benitez

Isaac Hayden has acknowledged that he will be heading through the exit door at Newcastle United when his contract expires next month. The former Arsenal graduate had been keen on parting ways with the Magpies as early as January but he was made to delay the decision to leave on a free transfer when the season concludes.

Speaking to reporters, Hayden said that he has been holding positive talks with a number of clubs but has yet to decide on his next move, he told: “It’s the same as always. We will see what happens in the summer but I have had plenty of talks with the clubs in the last couple of weeks. The signs have been very positive. I’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile, when pressed on the future of manager Rafael Benitez, Hayden suggested that the club must do their utmost to convince the Spaniard to pen a new contract, he added: “I think it’s a big situation for everyone. I don’t think the club will do anything without the manager’s say so. Especially if he stays. He has been very receptive and honest with me and I can’t thank him enough for the season I’ve had. He has been understanding of the situation.”

Hayden struggled for regular gametime during the opening half of the Premier League season where he made just three starts. However, the ex-Gunners ace managed to change his fortunes during the backend where he was ever-present and helped the club beat the Premier League drop by a comfortable margin in the end.

Despite this, he appears keen on pursuing a fresh challenge elsewhere and the next few weeks could give an indication regarding his next move. Both West Ham United and Everton have already been linked with the 24-year-old but neither have yet to make a formal approach, considering Hayden remains contracted to the Magpies for the moment.

Rafael Benitez talks about Newcastle United’s summer transfer plans

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has said that the club need to improve across the different departments in the summer in order to compete higher up the table. The Magpies recently sprung a surprise 1-0 result against Leicester City on the road and this has put them in a strong position to beat the Premier League drop.

Speaking after the game, Benitez said that the Magpies are not capable of competing for the Premier League crown with the reduced budget on offer. However, the Spaniard added that he would like sufficient fees during the summer which would enhance the club’s prospects of finishing as the best of the rest.

He said: “I have been trying to win titles everywhere in different countries and what I have said before is we have to have a team that can compete. So you cannot go with a team that maybe you can win but you think ‘If it’s a draw it’s a good result’. We need to be stronger. You have the city, we have all the potential. Everyone in Newcastle is supporting the team so it’s massive. Doing a little bit – I don’t say spending £200M – I say a little bit more, doing the right things we can compete against the teams who are between 7th and 12th but we have to do things right.”

At present, Benitez is contracted with the Magpies until the end of the season but he has confirmed that talks are already underway over a contract extension. The lack of spending in the transfer market has been a cause for concern for Benitez in the past, but owner Mike Ashley has shown better intent of late with the club-record signing of Miguel Almiron from Atlanta United in January. More of the same for the summer could convince Benitez to pen an extension with the Tyneside outfit. Newcastle are currently 10 points ahead of the drop zone. They are scheduled to host Southampton at St James Park this weekend.

Rafael Benitez hails Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has praised the impact of Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon upfront during the 3-2 comeback win over Everton in the Premier League. The Magpies found themselves 2-0 down to Everton after the first-half interval but they made a tremendous comeback following the break with a brace from Ayoze Perez and a Salomon Rondon strike ensuring maximum points.

Speaking after the game, Benitez was full of praise for both Perez and Rondon, and was pleased with the stunning comeback after a 2-0 deficit before the break, he said: “The first goal – if Messi did this – people would be talking about that for a while. He [Perez] did really well. If Alan Shearer scored the goal Rondon did it would be talked about for a long time.

“Normally I say to the players stay calm at half time, score one goal and get back into the game. In the first half we had chances to score but they scored two goals. We changed the shape of the team – with Ritchie on the right and four at the back. We were winning more second balls in the second half. The players deserve to win these five games [in a row at home].”

With the victory, the Magpies secured their fifth successive triumph at St James Park and the result has helped them maintain the six-point gap over the drop zone. The Magpies have only two more home games before the close of the campaign but they would nonetheless be confident of beating the drop, given five of their last eight games are against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Despite the positive, there remain question marks regarding the future of Benitez, who has been left disappointed with the restricted spending over the years. The Spanish tactician is on course to keep the Magpies in the Premier League for the second season running, but he may need assurances of more recruitment before he pens a new contract beyond the summer.

Rafael Benitez pleased with Miguel Almiron’s full debut for Newcastle United

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has spoken positively about Miguel Almiron after the attacker dazzled during the club’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town this weekend. The Paraguay international made his full debut against the Terriers and he put on a show which earned him the praise of the club’s faithful.

Almiron could not contribute towards the club’s scoresheet on the day but he was still praised by the supporters after orchestrating the attack with as many as three shots on target. Following the game, Benitez was impressed with the showing of the club’s winter signing and sympathised that the forward could not score his maiden goal.

He said: “He did well. Obviously he’s a different kind of player with different characteristics and he is giving us another option so if you have to change something, you can make the difference with one player or another player, so it has been positive. It was a pity for him because he could have scored and it would have been even better. Yesterday when you were asking me, I knew that he was playing! I wanted to make a headline!”

The Magpies squandered a 1-0 advantage against Wolverhampton Wanderers during stoppage time in the previous gameweek and that certainly frustrated Benitez with the team fighting to beat the drop. However, there were no such concerns against free-falling Huddersfield for the weekend and goals from Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez ensured a routine triumph against an opposition, who were down to 10 men after just 20 minutes.

Next up, the Tyneside outfit have another home game against Burnley in midweek but the game should pose a stiffer challenge, given the form of the Clarets. Sean Dyche’s team are unbeaten in the Premier League since the turn of the year and the Magpies can expect strong opposition with Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes in good run of form.

Rafael Benitez blames goalkeeper after Newcastle United drop points against Wolves

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has partly placed the blame on goalkeeper Martin Dubravka after the Magpies failed to secure the maximum points against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux. The Tynesiders appeared primed to bag a 1-0 victory heading into injury time before Dubravka’s poor judgement saw Willy Boly pounce with the equaliser with seconds left on the clock.

Shortly after the final whistle, Benitez was fuming at the officials after what he had judged as a foul on his shot-stopper but in his press conference, the Spaniard put more of the blame on Dubravka, who should have punched the ball rather than trying to get hold of it, he told Sky Sports: “Everybody knew we had the three points and it was really disappointing to concede the way we conceded.

“They were pushing, and we could do better. With this kind of ball, you can do a little bit better – just punch the ball and finish. It was not very clear [if it was a foul], watching the replay, but we have to defend better. We know it is England and people will come against the keeper. You have to be strong enough.”

With the stalemate, the Magpies have moved one point clear of the bottom three but things could have been quite different, had Dubravka made a better judgement over the cross leading to Wolves’ leveller. Newcastle now have a free weekend with them already ousted from the FA Cup but thereafter they have a home game against Huddersfield Town where they should fancy their chances of maximum points. The Terriers are currently rock bottom of the standings without any momentum and the Magpies should be aiming to pounce on the opponents’ struggles to jump further away from the relegation places. Rafael Benitez’s side have won their past two home matches including the shock 2-1 triumph over Premier League holders Manchester City.

Newcastle United boss expresses frustration after Wolves defeat

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has suggested that the upcoming matches against Huddersfield Town and Fulham are crucial to the club’s survival hopes after the disappointing defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. The Magpies appeared on course to secure a 1-1 draw against the Wolves in the previous matchday but their ambition was shattered in the dying minutes of the game with Matt Doherty netting a 94th-minute winner for Nuno’s men.

Speaking in a news conference, Benitez said that his team are no longer favourites against teams around them on the table and has urged the players to work hard to secure victories against the likes of Huddersfield and Fulham, he said:“Since the last two windows, I don’t think we are favourites against anyone. Am I confident we can beat anyone? Yes – but still we have to work hard to do it.For us, every game is like a final. We have to approach every game thinking one point could make a massive difference. That is why I was so upset against Wolves. It makes it so much more difficult for us when you have these decisions. The next two games are massive.”

Newcastle have made genuine progress from the opening 10 matches where they were rooted to the drop zone and they are now three points ahead of the bottom three. Nonetheless, they can’t be overconfident with the recent upturn in form as defeats against Huddersfield and Fulham to follow could potentially drop them back into the dreaded drop.

The Magpies are currently the joint-second worst scorers in the division with just 13 goals from the opening 16 matches but there has been some positive outlook upfront with Salomon Rondon getting onto the scoresheet with better success of late. The Venezuelan has contributed three goals and an assists during the previous five matches for the team.

Salomon Rondon open to permanent Newcastle United stay

On-loan Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon has stated that he is already settled in Tyneside and he could fancy extending his stay beyond the current campaign. The Venezuela international joined the Magpies from West Bromwich Albion in a loan swap involving Dwight Gayle heading the other way and he has since not made the best of his starts with Rafael Benitez’ side.

One part of his struggle has come about from the fitness concerns during the early part of the season but he recently made amends after scoring both goals of the Magpies’ 2-1 triumph over Bournemouth at St James Park. Speaking shortly after that game, Rondon has highlighted that he is settled with his family in the North-East while hinting the prospect of a long-term stay.
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