In an exclusive in the Sun today they are reporting that Rafa Benitez wants Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton as his new goalkeeper at Newcastle for next season back in the Premier League.
And with rumors Rafa wanted Sunderland’s 23 year-old Jordan Pickford, who would not come to Newcastle, it does seem that Rafa wants to strengthen the goalkeeper position.
That’s even after Karl Darlow has had a good season in the Newcastle goal this term and Rob Elliot, now fully fit again, was the Player of the Season last term.
Heaton started his career at Manchester United and went out on loan after loan until he joined Cardiff City in 2010 on a permanent deal.
He stayed in south Wales for only two years before joining Bristol City for one year and then joined Burnley in 2013.
Tom has been a late developer but is now showing the form that made him a hot prospect when he was a youngster with the Red Devils and looked a really fine prospect.
Heaton has been outstanding for Burnley this season and is an excellent shot-stopper and has turned into a very good all-around goalkeeper who commands his box well.
He now has two full England caps having played for all the England Youth sides when a youngster.
The Sun are reporting that Crystal Palace are the other Premier League club said to be interested in signing Heaton.
The Chester born player is now 31 years old which is still fairly young for a goalkeeper these days, if they keep themselves in good shape and can go into play until they are 40.
It seems strange that Rafa would invest what seems to be like £15M Burnley will ask for their goalkeeper, before he has taken a good look at 29 year-old Tim Krul in pre-season.
Tim is working hard at AZ Alkmaar and has now played 16 games for the Dutch club he tries to regain his top form before pre-season starts on July 3rd.
Krul could still prove to be the best goalkeeper we have and he has vast experience in the Premier League.
But it’s looking like Rafa may now sell Tim to generate funds this summer and Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot will presumably be the other goalkeepers.
We expect 20 year-old England U21 International Freddie Woodman and 25 year-old new boy Matz Sels to be loaned out to Championship clubs this season.
Matz may even be sold if there is interest in his home country Belgium for him as Rafa will have a massive clear-out of those players who are now surplus to requirements as standards will be significantly raised for next seoans.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
81 comments so far
LewSpi v2.0
May 5, 2017 at 12:45 PM
Comment #41Where’ve you heard that hibbit?
welshgeordie9
May 5, 2017 at 12:50 PM
Comment #42Apparently we have been linked with Tammy Abraham, not quite sure which player he’s going to replace, we need a prolific goal scorer, he’s done well for Bristol City this season but will he do it in the premiership.
andrewsneill
May 5, 2017 at 12:54 PM
Comment #43I just don’t understand why we’d spend some of our budget on a keeper considering Elliott and Krul should be more than good enough next season. Unless Ashley’s had a personality change and given Rafa over £150m it seems like it’s £15m we’d do better to spend elsewhere. We desperately need a quality striker, quality left back, quality centre back, a quality left winger (on top of Atsu signing being made permanent) and a quality attacking midfield centre and that’s just first team players we need, not depth!!!
expatmag
May 5, 2017 at 12:55 PM
Comment #44OFD
Sorry mate but Victory to stroll it
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 12:55 PM
Comment #45expatmag
Don’t get your knickers in a twist.
I’ve seen you post many derogatory comments about Scottish and Welsh football you self – righteous prig.
It’s well seen you and Mr Tuff knew each other – chips of the same block.
Ben Afri
May 5, 2017 at 12:58 PM
Comment #46Would love for Joey Barton to play in Australia just to hear how quickly his accent changes! ha ha Anyone remember how quickly Barton spoke with a French accent not long after his move?
ShirebrookToon
May 5, 2017 at 12:58 PM
Comment #47For those who haven’t seen it lol.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/look-what-newcastle-united-fans-12988918
Ben Afri
May 5, 2017 at 12:58 PM
Comment #48YouTube it if you havn’t seen it…Worth the laugh
Ben Afri
May 5, 2017 at 12:58 PM
Comment #49YouTube it if you havn’t seen it…Worth the laugh
Ben Afri
May 5, 2017 at 12:59 PM
Comment #50Dummit!
magspuggy
May 5, 2017 at 1:04 PM
Comment #51@ ben afri
Hahaha
I can see imagine him doing it.
giimps
May 5, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Comment #52G,
I agree mate, i do understand the “continuity “aspect, something theve never had due to season after season of getting the dead cat bounce (literally) but the one season they stick with one all season they drop, admittedly its something which has been coming for 5 or so seasons so was going to happen eventually,but, and heres the kicker, the fans (a lot of them anyway) hate his football, his lack of motivational skills , lack of man management and media skills “…so to start with the lets get some continuity with Moyes is a non starter as far as the fans are concerned, when you are relegated, unless everyone is on board, management, players and fans alike theres a good chance your attempt to be promoted is on an unsure footing……..while i want them to fail after the way they celebrated our demise, i think they are going about their structured rebuild in the wrong way by alienating half or more of the fanbase……stick with something for the sake of it will fail imho, bring in Kevin Philips alongside one of their popular coaches and that would give them a chance, the fans would be back on board and he understands the hurt and pain they are hopefully suffering…..hopefully though they stick with moyes though for a few seasons ,i would prefer playing them in a cup competition in a few years when they are in league 2 and we have a team playing in europe ….it might just help to wipe the smug smile off their faces when they are trounced by the mighty mags once again, …..like it should always be…..HWTL. HWTF
Ben Afri
May 5, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Comment #53I really hope this link to Sandro Ramirez has some truth to it. He’s a REALLY exciting player and Newcastle just isn’t Newcastle without one mecurial talent. Not sure if Rafa likes the mecurial personalities though.
Mister Tuff
May 5, 2017 at 1:09 PM
Comment #54Seen it all now – Jib accusing others of making derogatory comments.
Strange logic on here – if you post on topic -your honest opinions and are then attacked and abused -it is your fault. Just cannot work that out.
Ben Afri
May 5, 2017 at 1:11 PM
Comment #55magspuggy
Ha ha ha…you don’t have to imagin it…Seriously… Watch it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dovfYaQoPoY
Mister Tuff
May 5, 2017 at 1:12 PM
Comment #56Anyway – Brighton have not picked up any points since getting promoted -so the scene is set for a cracking Sunday. Will Brighton bottle it or will Villa up their game.
Brighton and us have a specific target to play for on Sunday – players might up their games for on last effort of the season.
#Tremendous finale.
magspuggy
May 5, 2017 at 1:25 PM
Comment #57I recall the french bit
Hes such a tw@ nowt surprises me with him
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 1:27 PM
Comment #58Mister Tuff // May 5, 2017 at 1:12 PM
Anyway – Brighton have not picked up any points since getting promoted -so the scene is set for a cracking Sunday. Will Brighton bottle it or will Villa up their game.
Brighton and us have a specific target to play for on Sunday – players might up their games for on last effort of the season.
#Tremendous finale.
Original stuff from MrsTuffty
No one had thought of that or mentioned it before like !
😀
Ben Afri
May 5, 2017 at 1:27 PM
Comment #59magspuggy
Yeah, but he’s one of those people you love to hate. I remember following him on Twitter just so that I could have my fresh cup of hatred every morning.
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #60Rafa in his presser says he was surprised by the FA charge
OneAlanShearer
May 5, 2017 at 1:29 PM
Comment #61In my view rafas plan should be to up the level of the first xi in the following positions: goal keeper, left back, center back, left wing, attacking midfield and 2 strikers. Then add to the squad in these positions, better cover at right back, cover for Ritchie and shelvey and hayden. I think we have enough elsewhere. Then get rid of as many of the players who are just not good as possible.
Blofal
May 5, 2017 at 1:31 PM
Comment #62Expat.. you think you have it bad? I’m also in Melbourne and Melbourne City is my team! I’m a friggin member! ?
expatmag
May 5, 2017 at 1:33 PM
Comment #63JIB
You have seen fcuk all, dipstick. Crawl.back under your rock
Jib
May 5, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Comment #64Rafa to meet with Ashley early next week – first job is to talk to the squad indvidually.
Blofal
May 5, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Comment #65If Pardew does take over At least we’ll do ok in the first season. Seasons 2 onwards will be a write off. My hope is though that Stuart Pearce is also on the list being considered… and I could think of no better manager to put a rocket up our lazy squad.
Blofal
May 5, 2017 at 1:36 PM
Comment #66@OneAlanShearer
You just listed practically every position on the pitch!
expatmag
May 5, 2017 at 1:36 PM
Comment #67BLOFAL
LOL…..Love it….what a choice…..Pardew or Keane???????
Mate, it is time you returned from the dark side and became retrained in the ancient noble art of Victory
Blofal
May 5, 2017 at 1:45 PM
Comment #68Expat
I moved to Melbourne in 2009 and started following A league.. so I chose the new Melbourne team. Can’t switch. Even Mackems don’t change. Besides we are rich! You remember how last season Man City bought Caseres from Mariners then loaned him to us? Beautifully sly that was. Wouldn’t mind Rojas 🙂
expatmag
May 5, 2017 at 1:51 PM
Comment #69Blofal.
Forget Rojas…..stick to your has beens like Sorensen and Cahill…….lol
OneAlanShearer
May 5, 2017 at 2:15 PM
Comment #70Yes blofal i’m suggesting about 7 first teamers and 4 squad players with at least that outgoing.
It’s that or we go into yet another season with a fragile squad that is immediately unbalanced by 1 or 2 injuries. However 11 players from a 25 man squad is no different to what the likes of Watford did when they went up. I totally believe that’s both workable and realistic.
Example, without shelvey we have very little creativity. Without Ritchie we have very little midfield threat. Without hayden we have no real defensive midfield. We should have bought 3 players in January to make that bedding in process easier but as per usual we don’t do things the easy way. I’m yet to be convinced Ashley is going to back rafa sufficiently.
OneAlanShearer
May 5, 2017 at 2:17 PM
Comment #71The list of players that are simply not good enough at this level is far too long.
ToonRich
May 5, 2017 at 2:17 PM
Comment #72@42, welshgeordie9…
Tammy Abraham’s just doubled his wage at Chelsea or is about to! He’ll go on loan again next season but I doubt there will be any buy clause in that deal.
Do Chelsea still on Traore @ Ajax? He’s had a good season too…
lesh
May 5, 2017 at 2:39 PM
Comment #73Jib
You seem to be in the know about Ashley’s movements. Can we assume you’ve got Jane inside acting as Ashley’s diary secretary?
barkel
May 5, 2017 at 2:46 PM
Comment #74ooooh careful lesh, you don’t want to come across as sexist 🙂 assuming a secretary to be a woman in this day and age tut tut tut 🙂
magspuggy
May 5, 2017 at 2:59 PM
Comment #75Barkel.
That would only count if “jane” was indeed female
And not just jib in a frock.
?
Mister Tuff
May 5, 2017 at 3:04 PM
Comment #76Jane in the middle of getting ready for work at SJP.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/10/19/article-1321764-0BAB7F90000005DC-218_468x477.jpg
giimps
May 5, 2017 at 3:13 PM
Comment #77I wonder if wel go for Alan Judge, his trail has gone cold since he had that slight knock before we were going to get him.
He could probably be a good backup assuming hes the same player after his knock .
I wouldnt be ar all suprised if we only get 2 or 3 players in so as to keep the main structure and cohesion of the team, maybe a few for the u23 squad and some very young talent poached from europe so we can integrate them as home grown when theyre ready to step up.
I trust Rafa to stock the academy and u23 teams with quality ready for the ascention up the prem to greatness, Carr …..not so much.
So my question is this, if we only replace 3 positions on the pitch with quality ,which positions and why and with whom?
My choice es would be …
Magure to replace/compete with lascelles to play along side Clark in place of Hanley…..
Cairney to replace / compete with Shelvey, maybe even alongside or as no10 replacing Colback
And finally i would go for Josh King to replace Gouffy.
I realise we need decent leftback and rifgtback as wel as lef wing but Dummet has proved he can do it in the prem, as has Yedlin, Aarons can play Lw as can Ritchie and Perez.
I just cant see Rafa wanting to make 7 changes to a side which has by and large been molded to his requirements and who he trusts to do his bidding.
He will want more pace up front and guille in midfield to create from deeper, this is all just my thoughts and im probably wrong but i think its more plausible than changing the whole team (imho)
hibbit
May 5, 2017 at 3:16 PM
Comment #78giimps
alan judge slight knock the lad broke his leg !!!
hibbit
May 5, 2017 at 3:20 PM
Comment #79lesh
Ashley in toon was fake news
that’s why i asked could anyone confirm it …………apologies
magspuggy
May 5, 2017 at 3:34 PM
Comment #80Hibbit
Rafa said today that he will meèt
Fattie next week
Acording to the chronicle.