Benitez is now relying on Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley to bring in some additional players before next Wednesday evening.
Rafa is confident he will have at least one new player before Thursday morning.
But we are a little cautious because he was also (very) confident we could get Andros Townsend in a year ago.
But on the final day of the transfer window, they failed to bring in Andros or anybody else.
We failed to spend one penny last January.
While we are after Nicolai Jorgensen, the club are hesitating at paying out £20M for him, and fans are concerned the fairly positive news each day will go on.
But then no players other than Kenedy on loan will be signed in this transfer window.
That’s the disaster scenario, and that happened a year ago when we failed to get Andros Townsend through the door.
Can Ashley and Charnley get the job done for Rafa?
Jorgensen seems the obvious one to come in, so Rafa was asked yesterday what the current situation is with the striker.
“We will not talk about names. What I said before is what I will say now: until January 31, I have to wait and hopefully we can do what we have to do,”
“I am talking to Lee and I was talking to Mike so we have the green light. We are working on that. I have to be positive.”
“Charnley and I talk every day, two or three times at least. It depends on the day. It’s not a question of communication.”
“I was talking with Mike the other day to be sure that we could move forward, and then we are doing that.”
“I have to be positive because still we have some days left.”
“I hope and believe until January 31 that we can sign players. I have said before we need some help to be sure.”
“We gave a list of names to the Board at the beginning. We have a list and we just keep working, in different positions.”
“We need some help so that we will be fine in these positions.”
”I do not control the money. I have a list of players with different levels and different prices and that is what I am waiting for – news.”
“We have to realize the Premier League is different now to two years ago. It is clear, the prices and everything is different.”
“We have to decide if we are to compete there or not.”
“Obviously, any player is a risk, whether from the Premier League or from abroad. They need to settle down.”
“Even Kenedy, he knows the Premier League but has to look for a house, family, everyone needs some time, Some need more, some less.”
“We try to identify players abroad, we know their background and try to have as much information as we can.”
“Whether they are professional, clever enough to understand and adapt quickly – we have all this information.
“Not just me, but I think the majority of teams have to keep an eye on the other countries because the prices are high there, but not as high as they are here.”
So Ashley and Charnley do have a list of names where they can go to Rafa’s second choice if the first option is not available – or too expensive.
Why is it I don’t have too much confidence in Charnley and Ashley working together on transfers.
Eleven years of disappointment with Mike Ashley in charge is the likely answer to that question.
Comments welcome.
17 comments so far
TomaKaThor
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Comment #1We will probably at most bring in one has been on loan or on a free at the last minute and that’s it, and we will be expected to consider that a good window a Chelsea youngster and a has been.
giimps
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:19 AM
Comment #2Better than our normal January Toma, other teams have January transfer windows, we have January.
sickandtired
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:20 AM
Comment #3”I do not control the money. I have a list of players with different levels and different prices and that is what I am waiting for – news.”
4 days to go and Rafa still has no idea of what can be spent or what money is available. Just keeps proving the utter lies Ashley tells when he states Charnley reports to Rafa.
Optimistic Panda
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #4Wake me up when January ends.
TudorCrisps
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Comment #5Is it still ok that I shout SHEARERRRR every time just before I kick a ball? My kids think I’m insane but they WILL grow to learn his name.
Offkey
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:27 AM
Comment #6Benitez does seem to have favourites, and dirk kuyt seemed like one. He has played with Jorgensen recently so you have to think they have spoken
lochinvar
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:28 AM
Comment #7Rafa: “ well Charners me old fruit, how’s it going with Feyenoord ? “
Charnley: “ not sure Mr. Benítez as I don’t understand their language “
Rafa: “ what are they saying ? “
Charnley “ yadda yadda yadda “
Charnley “ it’s all Double Dutch to me “
Rafa: “ well I’ve heard all this before”
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:35 AM
Comment #8Grant Hanley anyone – sums up the desparation
Pitmatic
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Comment #9I quite like the look of Jorgensen. Obviously no world-beater, but probably an upgrade on Mitrovic, inasmuch as Rafa will at least trust him to do a job. If he’s at the same level of say Chris Wood – who we really should have got in the summer having seen him up close – he’ll be first choice no bother. A bit overpriced, but his wages will make it less of a risk than signing the likes of Sturridge or Ings.
Having said all that, the ghosts of de Jong(s) and Andersson are always hovering with these kind of deals…
posada
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Comment #10Seems like nobody is in real control.
Lists that you then detach yourself from.
Who is in charge, who has the authority.
They probably don’t know.
Who takes responsibility when it goes wrong. That won’t be clear either.
It’s a ready made excuse. If they flop ah well it’s not my fault we should have went for someone on the A list.
Authority and Accountability should never be seperated. Otherwise you end up with the Monty Python like approach we seem to have.
Premiership Manager
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Comment #11Ashley is a gambler and Charnley is a waste of space. The old, “we tried, made offers but we couldn’t get the right players at the right price,” won’t wash and if it happens Rafa will be able to walk out with his head held high because he’s given the board so many chances to put it right without ramming it down their throats, telling them, “I told you but you didn’t listen, now you need to find a new manager, however be aware it won’t be easy as the reputation of the club has been soiled and attracting quality players and a new manager, under the current regime, not to mention getting out of the Championship, will be a far more different proposition than it was last time. Take a look at Sunderland, Forrest and Leeds, that’s what you’re looking at. Oh and by the way, best of luck.”
Jorgensen needs to be signed within the next 24 hrs, Mitro and Gayle would generate £30M, Colback and Saviet £6m. Shelvey £12-15. Mbemba needs to stay as he’s versatile and needs first team football. Elliot and Darlow should be left well alone, out simply they are young improving keepers and it’s not an area causing problems.
Get rid of the above pay the money for Jorgensen. Bring Schurle or Batistuta on loan and then trigger Fabian Ruiz’s £13M release clause
£46M incoming, £33M outgoing, £13M in the bank to pay the wages and a realistic chance of staying up.
Better still add £10M to the £13M and put a cheeky bid in for Batistuta and it would be like a new team, with enough flair and ambition to cause a lot of teams problems.
posada
Jan 27, 2018 at 10:47 AM
Comment #12Pitmatic
A top loan signing would not be a risk as you have no money tied up in them.
If the Danish lad flops it’s 20 million down the drain and his wages for the next 5 years.
Lets say Sturridge. If he is on 135K a week pay it. There are only 16 weeks left in the season. That’s 2.2 million plus the loan fee, which might be optional, or you could get him for just part of his wages if they want him out that badly.
But, Ashley can’t accept that as he would see it as lost money. As I said a couple of days ago, all our signings have to have this potential to be an appreciating asset. Great but you simply can’t do that all of the time. Also, it often means bringing in young players with no PL experince.
You can do it all the time in sports retail. Buy the trainers for 10 quid in the far east and sell them for 50 quid in the uk. He can’t seem to move out of that mind set.
hibbit
Jan 27, 2018 at 11:11 AM
Comment #13Premiership Manager for your plan to work you have to have buyers for the players you list we don’t
posada
a lot of the blame on here is piled at Charnley’s door, i don’t even see him in the inner circle at the club of Ashley Bishop and Barnes
no doubt it’s Ashley setting the agenda !!
neverwin
Jan 27, 2018 at 11:13 AM
Comment #14Surely RB cannot let himself be used again – if does then have to assume he has no pride.
FIVE days to attempt signing when seller has stated only price they will accept and are obviously adamant – then why pursue the matter.
Those five wasted days could have been used in other directions. Yes I dont know they they havent been but……
jimmysmith
Jan 27, 2018 at 11:17 AM
Comment #15I suppose one of our problems, of which there are often many in any transfer, is the awkward tightrope walk of getting one out at the same time as getting one in. Striking a deal for Jorgenson, while negotiating the sale of Mitro or Gayle for example. I’m sure the club doesn’t want to end the window with more players on its books. We are carrying a couple as it is.
Moonraker15
Jan 27, 2018 at 12:42 PM
Comment #16Everyone sooo negative. Change the record please!
BANDWBURNABY
Jan 27, 2018 at 2:49 PM
Comment #17See Raffa let it be known that he gave a list on Jan 1. If nothing happens as usual he is making sure everyone knows who to blame I HATE THE FAT MAN