With Rafa Benitez said to be backed with his summer plans by Mike Ashley we expect a number of players currently at Newcastle to be allowed to leave this summer, as Rafa significantly improves the quality of the Newcastle squad.
Last summer Rafa wanted to build a squad that could get us automatically promoted at the very first attempt and that seems like it will be successful.
Now Rafa will want to build a squad that next season that can finish in the top ten and that would only be the third time in 11 years under owner Mike Ashley that we have been able to do that.
Tim Krul could be sold this summer
There are a number of players who have no future at Newcastle and those include the likes of Florian Thauvin, Henri Saivet, Emmanuel Riviere, Kevin Mbabu, Haris Vuckic and Sammy Ameobi.
In addition there’s news today that wingers Yoan Gouffran and on-loan Christian Atsu have not done enough to persuade Rafa to keep them at Newcastle for next season.
Yoan’s contract runs out in June and Christian is on a season long loan deal from Chelsea.
Established players like Tim Krul and Siem de Jong could also leave and players in the current Championship squad such as Massadio Haidara, Daryl Murphy and Chancel Mbemba could be surplus to requirements.
Last summer’s clear-out and transfers were to get rid of the dead wood at the club and build a side that could be promoted from the Championship at the very first attempt.
The contrast this summer is that Rafa will be looking to build a squad that can challenge for the top ten (or even the top six) in the Premier League.
And the very good news today in the Chronicle is that Rafa wants to bring in six top players this summer and has ambitious plans for the transfer window and owner Mike Ashley is said to be willing to fully back him.
So everything seems on track – the only thing we need to do now is to win some games and seal that promotion – three wins in our last five games will ensure that.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
37 comments so far
WWSBRD
Apr 9, 2017 at 8:57 AM
Comment #1de Jong is established? Isn’t that just what he tells his mammy when he writes home? Could of used him this season tbf
Lindisfarne
Apr 9, 2017 at 8:59 AM
Comment #2I wonder if Shelvey can do the Crossbar Challenge in training?!
Slank
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:13 AM
Comment #3With very few exceptions I would imagine that those players currently out on loan will be sold mainly because Rafa has not seen enough of them on a daily basis to assess their suitability for the Premiership.
I think a Gouffran is leaving irrespective.
Not sure about about Atsu as he hasn’t had an extended run to assess his suitability.
Also not sure about Mbemba. He has looked shaky perhaps because he has come into a settled back five who are very comfortable with each other and understand each other having played together for long periods throughout the season.
Also not sure about Murphy’s future. He has rarely dissappointed but I wouldn’t regard him as first choice. It wouldn’t surprise me if a new forward is bought and Gayle drops down the pecking order.
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:19 AM
Comment #4Krul, Anita, Mbemba (first out the door hopefully, he is the skinny Bramble), Gamez, Haidara, Colback, Gouffran, Murphy and Mitrovic al need to be sold no matter what.
beermonkey
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:26 AM
Comment #5wwsbrd
i think it has been a good loan for dejong by accounts he is doing well
now he is fit, hopefully we will see him in the squad next season
neither diame or perez has shone in that no10 role this season
so a new no10 will be on rafa’s shopping list with dejong as back up maybe
slank
mbemba ddid look shacky but he hasnt played any first team football for ages so i dont blame him for being a little rusty and nervous
also i think he knows he wont be here next season
Slank
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Comment #6Hail Wor Ashley
Managers tend not to go in for wholesale departures and arrivals and therefore I doubt we will see players that Rafa has regularly picked throughout the season depart i.e. Anita, Colback and Mitrovich.
It will be interesting to see whether Rafa is brave enough to admit he was wrong and sell players he bought 12 months ago i.e. Gamez and Sells.
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:31 AM
Comment #7Can’t see us forking out on a new no10, especially the likes of Sigurdsson, when SDJ is a very similar player.
Just has to stay fit.
WWSBRD
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:34 AM
Comment #8beer
Maybe he has mate I’ve barely kept up with him but in this country he can’t stay fit np point in keeping him
shakerxxoo
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Comment #9I really wanna hammer criticism on those players we have but yeah , not worth my time
The only players i would keep for next season is 5
Yedlin Clark Shelvey Ritchie Gayle
the rest i couldn’t give a **** about what happen to them
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:37 AM
Comment #10Slank
Well I’d say Mitrovic has been used very reluctantly. Colback is a good dog’s body for the Championship and I think Rafa recognises that’s his limit and Anita I could possibly see being kept as a backup RB to Yedlin, but there’s another part of me that thinks all will agree it’s time to move on.
Gamez will be for sure away, probably back to Spain, don’t think we were wrong to buy him really. Would have much more playing time if not for his early injuries and the emergence of Yedlin taking his opportunity to establish himself.
GKs are anybody’s guess beyond Darlow staying.
Elliot, Krul, Sels and Woodman. Way overstocked.
Slank
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:47 AM
Comment #11Hail Wor Ashley
I don’t think we can have enough keepers although Sells may be the exception. Only keepers can replace keepers unlike outfield players.
It does happen, as we know, that the first choice keeper gets injured followed soon thereafter by his replacement.
Ron Knee
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:03 AM
Comment #12RIP Brian Matthew (again!)
Bauman
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:09 AM
Comment #13I usually don’t complain when beaten by
better performing opponents in the day.
Shef Wed are good side.There are reasons why they’re in the top 6.Haven’t expected we roll over them before kickoff.While the defeat pains me like most,a bit calmed down after seeing we still are 10pts clear.That is a huge gap.Still doesn’t bother me whether he plays defensive or attacking,be it here or in the PL,as long as the team wins.
As for Mbemba,as correctly pointed out by beermonkey,hasn’t played competitive games for ages.So should not be blamed for looking rusty if he was.Calling him shit etc tho is quite laughable.I am sure he’s not worse than any of the center backs we have at the moment.
JDdubai
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:16 AM
Comment #14Still don’t get the point of Rafa buying Lazaar. Series A LB, just what we need and doesn’t get a game. Surely the point would be to introduce him gradually through the season so he is ready for the PL, play him in the home games at least where he has Gouffran sat in front to help.
But now we know no more about whether he will handle it, Dummett we know is a defender and no more, very few PL teams have fullbacks now that can’t attack, Lazaar and Teslin could be perfect, especially with eitchie and a “dribbler” ahead of them.
442, 343, just try something else when we aren’t playing well and teams have learned how to play against us.
Munster Mag
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:23 AM
Comment #15Bobby i’m as happy as anyone to be 2nd but the team, managed, 52k etc we should be winning it. Yes promo is everything but i am disappointed that rafa seems to completely lack the ability to change tactics earlier. We havent played well for a long time and our football is pretty turgid. Im grateful for all the good he has gone but kind of wonder if rafa peaked as a manager years ago and we are just getting the stubborn inflexible version. His tactics yesterday were awful and so was the football.
Munster Mag
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:25 AM
Comment #16Slank he was also wrong to buy lazaar as he clearly has no belief in him.
Rotonda heights
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Comment #17Moanster
I wouldn’t ever play poker if I were you. You must be the most predictably boring man on the planet. You’ve written virtually the same thing almost word for word after every single match.
We get it, you don’t like Rafa’s football. You never have, you never will. We get it..we really do!
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:37 AM
Comment #18For me I’d be looking at bringing Defoe in and then getting another English forward that’s out of favour and is just as comfortable playing out wide on loan.
Rashford
Sturridge
Both come to mind and may be looking for more playing time in World Cup year.
Alongside Townsend coming in we could then look a lot more potent in attack:
Townsend____Ritchie______Rashford
_____________Defoe
Would be a very exciting forward line-up. Ritchie I think would suit the 10 role.
Hail Wor Ashley
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:38 AM
Comment #19Obviously a lot depends on who others sign as to which players will be available and within reach.
Offkey
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:38 AM
Comment #20Munster why are we in the championship, with this team, this manager 52k etc. WE WERE RELEGATED, with an arguably better team, yet we should be winning this easy and Norwich and villa should be in their positions pfft
magpie6699
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Comment #21Interesting not to see all the moaners who criticised Rafa heavily for not picking Mbemba every game as CB are not leaping to the player’s defence now.I think Lascelles and Mbemba is a very risky pairing without Clark or even Hanley as a steadying influence.
However, if we need to defend with height and strength, I think Mbemba could do a job as defensive CM if Hayden is not fit
Please tell me Clark and/or Yedlin might be back soon!?
WWSBRD
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:44 AM
Comment #22Hail
Rashford? Haha howay man
LGFUAD21
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Comment #23I was at the game yesterday and here is my take.
1) we showed very little desire and urgency to win
2) defence and mid gave wednesday far too much space
3) hugely missing key players
We needed colback or haydens energy alongside shelvey. Diame was strolling around like he was on holiday
Mbememba was unoredictable in positioning
4) off the ball movement and getting beyond last man was a massive problem
We had ni outlets and no one looked like they wanted to get past the defender. Annite ad ritchie were never on the same page.
5) we wouldve won if we had started with the team that finished. Mitro and atsu changed the game. Atsue wanted to beat his man where ritchie just wanted the ball to his feet. Mitro gave us mire presence alongside murphy of which we had none with gayle
We need a no 10 badly. Diame and perez just arent delivering. If rafa is going to play this next season we will struggle for goals and chances unless we get someone better in that role.
We also need a bit more oace on the wings. I think ritchie can do a job but we need someone more like atsu on the other wing.
We also need a decent left back. Dummet can be solid in defence but he stifles build up with his 1 footedness and hoofing. He struggles under pressure and yesterday his defending was poor to. Didnt bither to run to his man until the man actually had the ball. No close marking whatsoever.
If colback and hayden were fit id be half minded to olay shelvey as no 10. Hes got a lot more about him and could do a job even though its not his strongest position.
Overall everything was too slow. It was like watching england knock it around the back. Wednesday deserved their win.
The ref was appalling. Gave us nothing. And them everything.
I can undrstand why rafa started with that team but in my opinion he shouldve changed things a lot earlier because it was clear by half time that we were struggling badly and also clear what changes needed to be made.
Players also looked tired as hell. Ritchie had no energy about him.
Shelvey is the only player tht can really hold his head high and for much of the fame he was having to do 2 players jobs.
LGFUAD21
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:01 AM
Comment #24Mbemba didnt do too much wrong but it was almost like he was dfending very reactively. Times when he couldve cut out things and killed attacks but he didnt. But he made a good number of vital clearances.
Clark and lascelles have a very good udertstanding. Lascelles looked very unsure over what mbemba would do.
jimmygscot
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:04 AM
Comment #25Only 4 players who could hold their own in the premiership.
Darlow, Clark Shelvey and Ritchie most of the rest are not even good enough for back up.
best fit defender in the squad is Hanley cannot understand how he doesnt get a game, far better than Lascelles.
I would not fancy our chances in the play offs !
BenArfa the magician
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:23 AM
Comment #26Mbemba started awfully but recovered well made decent tackles and blocks and covered Lascelles a lot, who needs dropping.
As for whole sale clear out that was obvious Rafa watches the same team we do so will be fully aware we are carrying alot of shit in the team. We have quite a few players we could keep as squad members like Anita better than Colback in CM and covers RB.
I would get rid of Gouff,Haidara,Lascelles,Colback,Diame,Perez and Murphy no doubt Mbemba will be sold too.
We could do with CB/LB/LW/DM/CAM/ST 6 players isn’t too much too ask.
marshy
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:31 AM
Comment #27A very disappointing display with our defending, as usual, giving the opposition far too much room to turn and do us harm. this has been a problem for years and if it could be sorted we may eventually do something. I am sick of seeing us grind out results against nearly all opposition and if we do happen to go up and there is no investment we will be straight back down and probably bottom of the league by christmas.
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:35 AM
Comment #28Bobbybee
Good posts on previous threads.
My take on it.
Awful defending, Diame exposed is way too much, we missed Hayden and Clark so much. Mbemba clearly has communicatiob problems and got bullied in the air, Lascelles was poor. Didn’t offer much going forward, there was no real urgency or intensity.
As for people moaning at rafa, he’s done a very good job, this squad is purely built for promotion, nothing more. He knows it’s not good enough for the prem, £60-80m will have to be spent on 6 first team ready players, a CB, LB, DM, LW, AM, ST. Then a couple of squad players/prospects.
I’m not that worried because it doesn’t really make a difference as huddersfield lost. It’s just making life more difficult for the girls, which we should win and I for one would find it slightly annoying if we didn’t
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:37 AM
Comment #29By no means would I sell lascelles, this season is another step in development, he’s still young, but I do think he’s captain material, he will become a very good centre back I think
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:38 AM
Comment #30If Clark is fit then I’d go with him and Hanley against Leeds. If he isn’t then id put Hanley alongside Lascelles not Mbemba
sparky55
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:46 AM
Comment #31I had us down to lose this game when I did my last ten games forecast. They turned us over at home and played exactly the same way yesterday yet we had no answer…but actually we did but left it far too late.
Question….How do most premiership teams stop an attacking fullback.
answer…put someone lightning quick on the wings to make them think twice about venturing too far up the pitch and pulling other people out position
Answer yesterday…Atsu.should have been on from the start but came on far too late.
Gale did nowt before he came off anyway because they marked him out the game and were also very busy going up the park making us look poor.
Mitro should have come on instead of Murphy….but at the end of the day they outplayed us, out-thought us and caught us on another very bad day…the whole defence were dire yesterday…no-one but Shelvey came out of that game with any positives.
We were simply dreadful and thank good everyone else lost apart from Brighton so looks like our 2nd place is pretty much cemented.
BenArfa the magician
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:52 AM
Comment #32Jamestoon
Lascelles is older than Mbemba I’d keep him, plus can play DM/RB.
Lascelles talks the talk no doubt but thats it not great in the air,slow useless with the ball but as he’s 23 lets see.
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:52 AM
Comment #33Dummett also had his worst game of the season I thought
BenArfa the magician
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:54 AM
Comment #34Sparky
Agreed.With Yedlin out and Atsu on the bench we have next too no pace at all out wide far too easy for teams to get by us hopefully more pace will be injected into the team next year.
Bobbybee
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:55 AM
Comment #35Why would Rafa want Defoe? Not good enough. Well past his sell by date and not what we need,not in my opinion. I think we’ll be aiming higher than that. I reckon we’ll be looking longer term that Defoe. How long is it since Sunlun scored a goal? Plenty chances, he’s just not taken them. I think we’ll be looking at a much younger option. Half a team this window, the rest the following summer. Reckon it’ll be the season after the next one that we’ll have a team capable of winning something, but I can live with that. More reason for Rafa to sign an extension, to see the job through. Exciting prospects at long last. Been a long time coming.
ShirebrookToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 12:20 PM
Comment #365 games left. We’re nearly there boys and girls. Let’s keep the faith and back the boys right til the final whistle on May 7th.
HOWAY THE LADS!!
WE ARE UNITED!!
let’s not fall apart now
ShirebrookToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 12:24 PM
Comment #37Bobby
Your comments on this and previous posts,
Are spot on mate!
This is just the beginning of a very long rebuilding process!