The news is that Rafa wanted to bring 23-year-old Javier Manquillo to Newcastle last week and he was the man who pushed through the deal for a reasonable fee of £4.5M from Atletico Madrid.
That was the second time we have recruited a right back from the Madrid club in a year (Jesus Gamez recruited last summer) and the second time we have signed a right-back who was on loan at Sunderland in the previous season – we signed DeAndre Yedlin last summer.
Weird!
But Rafa knew all about Javier’s so-so form while on loan in England – last season at Sunderland he wasn’t the first choice for the Black Cats with Billy Jones preferred and two seasons ago at Liverpool he didn’t play well.
Javier Manquillo – knows he has to improve to be successful on Tyneside
He did manage to play 22 times with one goal for Sunderland last season and while at Liverpool he played 19 times.
In between, he spent a season on loan at Marseille and racked up an impressive 43 appearances for the French club in the 2105-2016 season.
After the game on Saturday after Javier had made his debut in the second half Benitez explained why he had decided to recruit both players in one week:
THis is what Rafa said as reported in the Chronicle:
“With Jacob Murphy we were looking for some wingers with some pace and he can give us that.”
“With Javier Manquillo, he can play both positions and we needed to cover a little at right-full-back.”
“He has to improve obviously from the last season but he is a player with potential.”
“So if he can train with us these days and understand what we are looking for he can be a good addition.”
“He has some experience in the Premier League.”
Rafa obviously believes he can make his young countryman into a much better player on Tyneside – and we wouldn’t bet against the manager.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
102 comments so far
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 10:57 AM
Comment #41Has Penfold put a cheeky bid in for Neymar?
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Comment #42Runaway, if we cannot get an upgrade on our current keepers, I hope we don’t just buy for the sake of it. Elliott, Darlow and Krul all have strengths and weaknesses, but some mentioned like Randolph would be worse/on a par, at best.
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:01 AM
Comment #43Many moons ago, Tim Krul turned into SJP from the Gallowgate, by the ticket office, coming through the no entry sign in his Range Rover, nearly running head-on into me. Maybe he did something similar to Rafa?
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:02 AM
Comment #44Toontaff, spot on mate, but sadly some of our fans seem to think we should get promoted and immediately challenge for the top places, like we did in ’94/5 – long before big money stepped in.
Can you imagine a team like Blackburn Rovers ever buying the title again? 🙂 Times have changed so much and any team just coming up have survival as their primary target.
I think we’ll do better than survival myself, but the top end is completely out of our reach imo.
magspuggy
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:03 AM
Comment #45Bobby the lads a good player by all accounts
El mahanni also looks good as well. We could do with them being fasttracked.
Not to fast mind.
Martoon
Krul seems to have lost his edge after his injury damm shame tbh.
I hoped he would make his comeback at nufc.
Training with the bairns does not bode well for him.
Ron Knee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:05 AM
Comment #46toontaff
I think Rafa is looking for a GK who will command the defence. None of the incumbents does that.
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:06 AM
Comment #47Toontaff, I did hear a rumour that a certain poster on here is demanding his money back from Krul for missing you!! 🙂
Rotonda heights
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:07 AM
Comment #48Bobby
have to say I’ve been enormously impressed with Fernandez. Just looks like he’s got that x factor.
Would love nothing more than to see him and other youngsters evolving and finally breaking through at senior level.
Re-Krul, I was a huge fan, but a series of niggling and more serious injuries have taken their toll.
I think Rafa wants a ”sweeper keeper” and I wouldn’t say any of our current GKs, woody apart maybe, are good with the ball at their feet. Rafa is ruthless enough to see this thankfully.
john tudor
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:10 AM
Comment #49wow rafa enquiring on Peter Crouch’s availability
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:13 AM
Comment #50It looks like it, Ron.
Certainly one of the complaints, last season was side/back passing, back to keeper, lump forward. Can understand the need to have a keeper who can use the ball better.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:15 AM
Comment #51Ron Knee
I have banged out for years about our goalkeepers not commanding the box and their distribution does my head in…
We have had some excellent goalkeepers – Given, Harper, Krul, Elliott, Darlow all great shot stoppers – but none commanded their box – flapped and weak at punching and when they did have the ball their passing and throwing out so we never or rarely build from the back.
You watch goal kicks kick-outs I can guarantee that the 20 out fielders will be in a quarter of the pitch on the left wing around the half way line as Monday comes after Sunday the ball will be hoofed there and many times straight out of play.
The last goalkeeper who commanded the box and was great with his feet and distribution was Pav.
Love to see a keeper that commands his box and when he gets the ball from our numerous backpasses can pass the ball to one of our players instead of HOOOOOOOOF.
Mind you our out-players when off the ball are to static
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:15 AM
Comment #52Aye, Bob, there’s a few on that list, but not as many as would be after you 😆
Mind, his lass in the passenger seat was a stunner and Tim was not ruffled, just smiled and waved!
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:15 AM
Comment #53Charlie, snap!
RUNAWAY777
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Comment #54John Tudor no thank you for Peter Crouch’s he will be looking for that last pay day check well not off us.
martoon
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Comment #55magspuggy @45 – I understand Rafa might think Krul is not good enough but that still doesn’t quite explain why he is not allowed to train with the first team. I see that as a punishment for some kind of misdemeanour.
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Comment #56The way I view our GK situation is that Rafa sees Woody as the long term future custodian, so is looking for somebody of top quality ready made to step in for now.
Darlow is one for the future more than right now and if Woody is being groomed for No1, then it might be better for all concerned if Darlow moves somewhere for his long term career prospects. He won’t want to be No2 to Woody presumably.
Elliot is fine, but maybe as a No2 for now, so although we have plenty of options, I think Rafa is already thinking long term.
A top keeper, proven, would be perfect whilst Woody comes of age.
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:17 AM
Comment #57Maybe it was Tim’s little feet slipping off the pedals, eh, Geordie2?
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:19 AM
Comment #58Toontaff, I bounced the cheque anyway… WHOOPS! 🙂
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:21 AM
Comment #59Sky transfer centre – numbers – fees/wages – crackers!
Sanchez 500k per week, Chelsea want Bertrand back, Neymar 196 million.
martoon
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #60I might be in the minority but I think Peter Crouch could do a job for us – good alterative or even to play with Gayle.
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Comment #61Watch it, BobbyBlah – I’ll set your mate on you 👿
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:23 AM
Comment #62Peter Crouch could show Mitro a few things!
Markaccus
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:24 AM
Comment #63Morning all. Just thought i’d share this gem from twitter from saturday. For any who don’t know, Colyn Cnarr07 is a mickey take of the ever-wrong ITK Colin cwarr07.
Colyn? @CNarr07 Jul 22
More
Hatem Ben Arfa has just renewed his membership at Supa Snooker in Wallsend. Toon return imminent #SnookerLoopy #itk #nufc
Ron Knee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Comment #64Charlie
I think Rafa tried to improve the situation by buying Sels, but it obviously didn’t work out.
toontaff2
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:27 AM
Comment #65This Peter Gulacsi link?
With Rafa at Liverpool?
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:27 AM
Comment #66Better be on my best behaviour then mate – my eardrums can only handle so much, if ye get my drift. 🙂
magspuggy
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:35 AM
Comment #67Martoon
Has rafa got a cat ?
I hope its black and white and does not meow in scouse.
It wont fit in well in darras hall..
Markaccus
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:35 AM
Comment #68Toontaff/bobby
would you be talking about the person who cries freedom of speech and entitlement to their opinion, right after shouting down and abusing anyone who does not 100% share that opinion? 😀
Jib
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:36 AM
Comment #69Peter Crouch could show Mitro a few things!
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:41 AM
Comment #70Mark, still trying to work out who you mean mate – cough, splutter choke!! 🙂
Markaccus
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:42 AM
Comment #71Nasty cough you have there Bobby 😉
Markaccus
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:52 AM
Comment #72did I kill the blog?
magspuggy
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:54 AM
Comment #73Any new links today ??
This weeks should be when we make a move on a striker.
I wonder who it will be.
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:58 AM
Comment #74Mark, that choking cough must have predicted rapidly. Is that what they call a computer virus?
jimmysmith
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Comment #75They are young and inexperienced at this level, but I think both Murphy and Aarons have the capacity to have a big impact on this league. They are both really quick and direct, as well as skilful. I suppose Ritchie will begin the season on one flank, and probably Murphy on the other, but I wouldn’t discount Aarons and Murphy becoming our preferred starters this term, especially if we aren’t battling it out down near the bottom. They are real flyers. Very exciting.
gonufc (Newcastle United Sports Direct Advertising Club)
Jul 24, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Comment #76I thought one of the weirdest signings last season was Ayew to West Ham f £20m! 1. they were paying 20m for a freebie a couple seasons before 2. He was pretty average for Swansea 3. He is NOT a striker (which is what they wanted/ were paying for.
But then my favourite last year was Zaza – the man, the legend. So awful he was funny every match.
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Comment #77Predicted? How does spread turn into predicted? 🙂 Crazy.
nightfa11
Jul 24, 2017 at 12:11 PM
Comment #78I think crouch is a possibility as a replacement for mitro as a 3rd choice striker for the season (Chelsea kid was a first option), Gayle 2nd and a big name striker coming in as 1st.
Mitro will be sold. There’s no point of having a 14 mio striker as a backup..to a backup.
RUNAWAY777
Jul 24, 2017 at 12:16 PM
Comment #79Bobbybee toontaff2 what you to up to with the cloak and dagger stuff pmsl ?
Bobbybee
Jul 24, 2017 at 12:22 PM
Comment #80Sorry runaway, but this is very much top secret MI6 business and if we told you, we would sadly have to kill you. You’re much better off not knowing – a bit like us really! 🙂 I think we’re both operating under different codes, something we need to discuss really before it gets really confusing.