The People are reporting today that Newcastle United are interested in signing Brazilian striker Willian Jose this summer.
Willian joined Real Sociedad last July and he has had a decent season with 11 goals in 28 games for the Spanish club.
Newcastle have missed too many chances this season and have therefore dropped too many points because of that, so the news is that Rafa wants to bring in two top strikers in the summer who can score the goals for Newcastle – in the Premier League.
Willian Jose – Real Sociedad 25 year-old striker
And Everton are also interested in the 25 year-old as a potential replacement for Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who is expected to leave the Goodison Park club this summer.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both said to be more than interested in signing Lukaku this summer.
The news today is that Rafa wants to bring in six top players for Newcastle in the summer and presumably Willian Jose is one of our targets.
The news was in the Chronicle and owner Mike Ashley is said to be backing Rafa in the transfer market this summer.
The fee for Willian is said to be around £25M and that would be a record transfer fee for Newcastle United, beating the £17M we paid to Real Madrid for Michael Owen in August, 2005.
Willian Jose played from 2011-2016 for Deportivo Maldonado in Uruguay, but during that time he was loaned out to 8 different clubs and played primarily in Brazil and La Liga.
He played for Sao Paulo, Santos and Real Madrid during that time.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
86 comments so far
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:28 PM
Comment #41Toonkk
I agree mate.
But I feel like people are just purposely forgetting those results like 6-0 v qpr 3-0 v Ipswich, 4-0 Birmingham, 4-0 Rotherham, I thought we absolutely dominated those games, played very good football and controlled those games.
I’d compare our season to Chelsea’s title winning season under Mourinho in 13/14, they played their football in the first half the season, they grinder out the results in the 2nd half to get the title, much where mourinho was criticised for his park the bus tactics, it may have been seen as negative, but it worked, he knew how to win, whereas Brendan Rodgers who with Liverpool probably played the best football in the league, didn’t know how to win more than one way, or the focus was so much on scoring loads of goals, they were crap at defending.
Rafa Benitez is a winner and doesn’t care if he wins ugly, there’s a reason why he wins trophies everywhere he goes. I used to be a real purist, like when pardew was in charge I wanted managers like Martinez laudrup howe because they played really good football, but after their honeymoon seasons they struggled because their teams didn’t know how to defend and were so one dimensional always trying to score the perfect goal.
Look at Benitez’ Liverpool team he built into one of the best teams I the prem, they were very systematic, methodological, and his players always knew their jobs. Yes he was criticised for being too defensive there sometimes, but he made them into such a good team, and dunno if anyone remembers their 5-1 win at SJP in 2008/09? They dominated the game and battered us, shay given was probably man of the match.
I’m happy with Benitez but I just don’t like the negativity. It’s one loss, we’ve seen this so many times where we bounce back. We will get there I’m sure
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:30 PM
Comment #42Sing
When we were in the prem I knew a lot of fans who thought we were a lot better than we actually were, and thought we had some divine right to be in the top 8, (some probs still here that still think that)
toon kk
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:31 PM
Comment #43Sing
Ed had a poll on our result win loose or draw like he always does and in almost every poll last season most thought we’d win…..err
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:32 PM
Comment #44Also I hate how a lot of fans seem to change their opinions of players after 1 loss. Like Lascelles for example, I’d say he’s been average this season, I expected better tbh but he has had some man of the match performances this season, equally some terrible ones as well. I think he is a good leade, but like people are writing him off for next season saying he needs to be sold etc which is ridiculous ffs. He’s our 2nd best defender, and will only improve, we’ve got a top premier league, England international player on our hands if we can develop him right, the same goes for Darlow Yedlin Hayden Shelvey
sing in the corner
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:36 PM
Comment #45toonkk
Are you really using Ed’s ‘how will we do this weekend?’ Poll to make a point? If so, what is it?
jane
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:37 PM
Comment #46Rafa will build on the existing squad not make wholesale changes.
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:48 PM
Comment #47Jane
He’ll build around the spine of Darlow, Lascelles, Shelvey, Ritchie
The likes of Dummett, Colback, Gouffran need to be upgraded on. Chronicle says he wants 6 first team ready players which i agree with, then couple youngsters/backup.
Darlow
Yedlin-Lascelles-*New signing*-*New signing*
Shelvey-*New signing*
Ritchie-*New signing*-*New signing*
*New signing*
Sell:
Sels
Gamez
Mbemba or Hanley
Lazaar
Haidara
Gouffran
Ameobi
De Jong
Murphy
Riviere
toon kk
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:50 PM
Comment #48Sing
I never mentioned this season.
My point was we were relegated and many fans actually thought we had a top eight side.
This season Rafa is doing a great job,never said he wasn’t.
But many still think our current players are top eight candidates for the premier league.
Mash has changed the club as we new it and many has accepted mediocre.
Hopefully Rafa will bring the good times back.
sing in the corner
Apr 9, 2017 at 5:56 PM
Comment #49toonkk
You are generalising. ‘…Many thought we had…many has accepted mediocre…’ What are you advocating? Not the old boycott routine surely?
I don’t think very many fans would think our current squad is anywhere near top 8 PL. if they d they should probably see their doctor.
sing in the corner
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:01 PM
Comment #50Look. We all know this squad needs revamping almost completely. But don’t expect it to all happen this summer. Don’t expect us not to find it tough next season (if / when we go up of course). We will win games, but guess what we will lose games. Be prepared FFS.
Judging by the comments some ‘supporters’ make during a game that isn’t going to plan, I am going to batter my router with a mallet on match days to ensure I don’t blog.
sing in the corner
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:02 PM
Comment #51…and no that is not a euphemism 🙂
toon kk
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:11 PM
Comment #52Sing
Fair enough mate. Tbf I think a lot,me included get pd off by the way we were relegated and I hate seeing poor performances, but that’s football.
sing in the corner
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:23 PM
Comment #53toonkk
Yeah we all do. But let’s get up, any which way, and only then will it be time to see what Ashley’s next (all important) move is.
Rafa to get weaving in the transfer market!
andrew84
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:31 PM
Comment #54Just reading the above comments….the highlight has to be Welsh lecturing Rafa Benitez about attacking football while Newcastle have scored the most goals in the league and third highest in the top 4 divisions in the country.
And for his comment not being tongue-in-cheek in the slightest.
Well played Welshie lad.
JamesToon
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:41 PM
Comment #55Rafa Benitez the manager of Newcastle united who play defensive football
*but also the top scorers of the league*
Munster Mag
Apr 9, 2017 at 6:54 PM
Comment #56Delighted and thanfulto rafa and the players to be 2nd but i dont see why he cant be more flexible tactically than we saw yesterday or more attacking, given that we havent played well, attack wise, in ages. And i dont see why its considered unfair when this criticism is raised. Even Catchy is saying stuff now! Bobby, if i’m being unfair tell me. I refuse to listen to halfwits who wud still kiss rafa if he joined sunderland
welshgeordie9
Apr 9, 2017 at 7:14 PM
Comment #5754andrew84
Happy to help.
Fostino
Apr 9, 2017 at 7:44 PM
Comment #58Any word on Gayle. Just look at Murray for Brighton. ..wonder can Murphy be our Murray.
Think it’s about time we spotted bein so conservative with goofy…looking at the trams we have to play…not many of them are going to create top many chances so surely starting a more attacking option on the left wing is an option. We are spilt for choice with astu…Sammy. ..even rolando…hell lazaar and haidira could be am option too.
Goofy is solid…no doubt about it but goals has been a problem recently. Maybe it’s time to push Richie up front and get 3 attaching wingers in.
I also think it’s time to put Hayden back in. We need to get Diame out of the team.
Darlow
Anita (Yedlin when fit) lascalles Clark dummett
Astu Hayden shelvey rolando
Ritchie Murphy *Gayle if fit
We are the toon…we need to start bashing teams again…time to attack
posada
Apr 9, 2017 at 8:05 PM
Comment #59According to Bet 365 we are 250/1 on to finish in the top 2.
I like those odds. Just hope there accurate.
I great manager would get a couple of big games out of the likes of Ameobi and Mitro.
Someone has to step up.
posada
Apr 9, 2017 at 8:06 PM
Comment #60Diame strolls about as if he couldnt care less.
posada
Apr 9, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Comment #61A great should read
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:29 PM
Comment #62Jamestoon
We are top scorers of the league, we also have the best starting xi and best squad of players for the manager to pick from…..and that’s some distance better than the rest of the league.
I’m happy we are going up as that’s the ultimate goal but we’ve been underwhelming for sometime and we are incredibly cautious, dull to watch.
If we finish 2nd we will have achieved the bear minimum, and we’ve been beaten to being champions by a former manager with far less experience and a far weaker team.
toon kk
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:44 PM
Comment #63Our toon
Who do you think is responsible for our causious style of late, Rafa or is it our players under pressure?
Rafa didn’t seem happy after the game but he was reluctant to change things until late in the game.
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:50 PM
Comment #64Toon KK
If you want attacking creative football then rafa has never been the answer at any of the club’s he’s been at. He’s known as cautious and defensive, that’s why the real Madrid fans chased forced him out with his dull brand of football.
Rafa was a class act a long time ago, I think his recent record is nothing more than decent with some very strong squads.
The answer to your question is we will not change, rafa is cautious first, always has been and always will be.
toon kk
Apr 9, 2017 at 9:56 PM
Comment #65Our toon
I agree but earlier in the season we were playing far more exciting attacking football.
Our players look very tired and just want the season over.
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:04 PM
Comment #66Toon KK
We’ve had the luxury to be able to rotate our squad right from day 1, others haven’t had this luxury as there squads are nowhere as good as what we have. We were told that this rotation will come to fruition at the run in as we will have fitter and stronger players as they will have been rested.
We’ve dominated possession stats as well, teams that dominate possession normally don’t work as hard as they have control of the ball, that’s the general consensus.
I personally think we’ve been worked out and have been for sometime which is why we are struggling, same formation and same tactics throughout the season, zero flexibility in plans and formations. It’s not that we are tired but that we have become ineffective compared to earlier in the season!! Predictable
LewSpi v2.0
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:13 PM
Comment #67The lads calling for ‘more exciting, attacking football’ and calling us dull do realise they have the option of supporting Barcelona any time they want don’t they?
toon kk
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:21 PM
Comment #68Our toon
We’re certainly very predictable, your right when there seems to be no plan b.
I’m not a big Mitrovic fan but he did make a difference when he came on. He should have been put up front with Murphy much earlier in the game imo but Rafa knows best.!!
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:22 PM
Comment #69Lewspi
We all had a chance to support Barca as kids, but we followed a side that is local to us. Our hometown club
Thanks for telling is that we can support another side though, the thought never occurred to me that we have a choice over who we can support!!
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:25 PM
Comment #70Toon KK
Yep rafa knows best, hopefully once promotion is in the bag he can take the handbrake off and stop with the control aspect. Hopefully look to entertain and play 2 up top at home.
LewSpi v2.0
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:39 PM
Comment #71Our toon
No it’s true, you have a choice. Everyone here (with the exception of the odd troll) choose to support Newcastle United. Whether they play dull, exciting, attacking, cautiously, long, short, hard or tika taka. We support the team and the club because we choose to.
No matter what the approach is, as long as the players apply themselves, I’m entertained because it’s my club playing. It helps when they win, and we currently are doing that more often than not.
If people are not happy with their choice to support newcastle, whilst they are 100% entitled to their own opinion, I’m just letting them know they have other options.
Tsunki
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:43 PM
Comment #72Yep. “We demand a team that tries” has been adjusted slightly to ” we demand a team that tries with an acceptable level of flair” 🙂
welshgeordie9
Apr 9, 2017 at 10:45 PM
Comment #73Wow if you thought yesterday’s game was exciting you must get easily pleased.
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:13 PM
Comment #74Lew
Thanks for pointing out that we have choice, yes it’s important to win, it’s also important to play decent football and not the hoofball we’ve played for sometime now. We currently have the strongest squad and best starting xi in the league yet we struggle to play half decent football.
Next season we won’t be anywhere near as good as the rest so expectation won’t be anywhere near the same as this season.
The question is: if we serve up the same dull shite next season without winning anywhere near as many games will you still be happy?
LewSpi v2.0
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:17 PM
Comment #75“As long as they try and I see darlow do at least three cruyff turns for a bit excitement I’m happy”
Keegan was 20 years ago man chaps and chapettes. Haway, let it go.
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:18 PM
Comment #76Tsunki
Yes we want a team that tries with a bit of flair, I’m not expecting us to get into Europe or to win the league or cups for that matter, I do want us to play half decent football though rather than staying compact and looking to control. I’d highlight the likes of Bournemouth who currently do this in the premier league
Is that a fair thing to ask for? I’ll let ppl on here decide if they find that acceptable or not
LewSpi v2.0
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:21 PM
Comment #77Our toon
The point is this ‘dull sh*te’ you speak of is a tried and tested method of winning football matches, hence having the joint most amount of wins in the league. Would you rather we had Pards back? I’m sure Gayle would be great out on the left wing for a bit controversy?
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:22 PM
Comment #78Lew
I didn’t read anyone mention Keegan except for you, i mentioned bournemouth, maybe you should let it go seeing as you bought it up!! Btw a goalkeeper doing cruyff turns is not exciting, it is for the neutral but I don’t think anyone who supports there club wants to see that.
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:27 PM
Comment #79Lew
No word of a lie but I think even pards couldn’t mess up getting promotion with this squad when it’s compared to the rest of the league.
As for tried and tested method, the fact we’ve got the resources and the fact that we have the best squad is the reason for the most wins. Yet Brighton who are inferior in all aspects sit top whilst playing a better brand of football.
We’ve beaten them twice, battered them first time round but of late we’ve been pish, grinding out results.
Our Toon
Apr 9, 2017 at 11:31 PM
Comment #80On a plus note we should fair better next season as teams won’t sit back and defend against us which is what we’ve struggled with this season. Hopefully this means we profit from more spaces