We remember in January Rafa Benitez saying that even one or two players coming into the team can make a difference.
And Rafa turned out to be right when he finally brought in Chelsea’s Kenedy and Sparta Prague goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on loan in January.
Both players have been outstanding for us and whether happens with them – we are thankful they came in and helped us survive in the Premier League.
It’s almost certain Dubravka will be brought in by Rafa for €4M in the loan contract but Kenedy could be more difficult.
Rafa Benitez got the very best out of Kenedy
The recent news is that Chelsea will sell but want more than £20M for Kenedy and while we’d like to think Ashley would back Rafa – everything points to Kenedy being too expensive for us.
But maybe Rafa can bring him in on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy next summer – when we should be much better off financially.
The problem with that is Chelsea will want the money this summer to fund new players coming in.
The one loan player who didn’t do well was Leicester City striker Islam Slimani who we signed when injured – only because we left it until the final hours of the January window.
The Algerian was out injured for two months and is now banned for three games so he made just four appearances with one start.
It’s extremely doubtful that Rafa will want to make Slimani’s move permanent for £21M.
But when you look at the loan moves we made in January, two were excellent and Kenedy and Dubravka helped us survive.
You cannot ask much more than that – that has to be put down to being a success.
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
G
May 3, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Comment #1It’s difficult to say whether or not Slimani could be a success for us next year, much as I enjoyed his contribution in 3 of the appearances he made, I most certainly was not impressed by him against WBA. I would pass personally. It’s a no-brainier Kenedy and Dubravka in my opinion though.
Munster Mag
May 3, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Comment #2I somehow think Rafa is going to have to get a budget in writing Tuff to keep him. He has a penchant for fighting owners and I read previously in one of the decent papers that he will ruck it up with them anyway. It’s just his nature. Let’s hope he doesn’t take on Ashley because it can only be a qualified win for Rafa anyway? Maybe pardew can comeback uncontested again. Jesus wept.
Munster Mag
May 3, 2018 at 2:46 PM
Comment #3Dupravka needs to improve G. Positioning not the best but he is certainly an upgrade
bettyswallocks
May 3, 2018 at 2:55 PM
Comment #4Tsunki gave a very accurate analogy of Ashley’s control of the club’s finances on an earlier thread. There is no chance he will commit to anything in writing regarding money that could come back to bite him on the arse later. He knows all the moves and has built his empire around ducking and diving and minimum outlay for maximum gain.
Rafa is also fairly shrewd and normally knows how to get what he wants so it will be an interesting stand off which we can only be left to speculate over.
nufc 11
May 3, 2018 at 4:30 PM
Comment #5I wonder do NUFC have 1st refusal to buy Kevin Mbabu back from Young Boys? Apparently has been on fire this season developing into a top notch RB and will be heading to the WC with the Swiss. Always thought letting him go was a mistake he had shown far more promise than Dummett ever did and that was been played out of position at LB.