Rafa Benitez in his press conference this afternoon for the game tomorrow at home to West Ham said he wants to bring in another left-back in the January transfer window.
Rafa explained that’s because we only have Paul Dummett as a natural left-back, and Paul himself welcomes competition for his starting position.
Paul wants to improve as much as he can, and he’s a first-class professional as well as being a local lad – so doesn’t fear competition.
Rafa obviously wants to concentrate on the 9 games coming up in the next 33 days starting on Saturday afternoon at home to West Ham.
He was asked about Miguel Almiron, and he smiled when asked about him and he said with a smile “what is the name.”
Newcastle’s Head of Recruitment Steve Nickson is supposed to be flying out next week to meet with Atlanta United officials and Almiron’s agent to see if Newcastle can do a deal for the 24-year-old Paraguayan International playmaker in January.
Miguel Almiron – in action against Real Madrid
Rafa was asked about the upcoming January transfer window, and this is what he said:
“Everyone can see we need another left-back because we only have one.”
“Paul Dummett knows it too, and he is happy because he wants competition from an attacking player.”
“We need a couple of other positions too, but we will see.”
“Who is the name? (Rafa smiled when asked about Miguel Almiron).” “Who does he play for?”
“It’s not January we keep on working.” “I was watching the TV the other day and I saw the name.”
“We don’t talk about the transfer window.
“We have one month, the team is doing well and we must concentrate on all these games rather than talk about ‘names.”
It’s clear Rafa wants a left-back brought in and an attacking midfielder – and the first choice is probably for the playmaker is probably Almiron.
He also wants a left back and may try to bring in his summer target – 19-year-old French left-back Stanley N’Soki of PSG.
N’Soki has played for all the French Youth sides from U16 through U21, and he has class and natural ability; he has played 8 times in all competitions for PSG so far this season.
Rafa is said to have bid €10M for him in August, but N’Soki thought it was too early for him to join the Premier League.
Benitez may also want to bring in another striker in January so we can start scoring more goals.
If Rafa can get three or four good players in during January and with the immensely improved form of newly arrived players like Fernandez, Schar, and Ki – he may believe he will have a (much) better team for next season; he may even sign a new deal to stay at Newcastle at the end of the season.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
Note: Three Newcastle fans are launching an unofficial children’s book – ABC with NUFC – this Friday.
The book is an A-Z of the great and the good of Newcastle United. They’re also launching a competition to win one of five copies of the book.
All you have to do is guess which trumpet playing former midfielder takes the letter Nn?
Here’s where you can try to win a book.
6 comments so far
hibbit
Nov 30, 2018 at 4:38 PM
Comment #1Been in the town today
anybody got anything about this Matt Taggart rumour from Southhamton to us a L/B and a £5m offer ❓
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 30, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Comment #2Jail for Ashley
Nov 30, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Comment #10
Yes jesperfuglsang – capt’n awesome of the lemon crew some of them even go as far as dedicating wins to their despised boss.
Jail…I asked you if it was common for managers to say otherwise not if you have heard managers praise their boss!
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Nov 30, 2018 at 4:39 PM
Comment #3Rob…thanks for the answer earlier
chicousa
Nov 30, 2018 at 4:41 PM
Comment #4“Who is the name? (Rafa smiled when asked about Miguel Almiron).” “Who does he play for?”
Sounds as if Rafa the Gaffa has a twinkle in HIS eyes. Maybe feeling good about the prospects?
Jib
Nov 30, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Comment #5The rumour is the 2 Matts are swapping
Targett + £5M to us and Ritchie to them
chicousa
Nov 30, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Comment #6Wow, is it tea time there or did I kill the blog?!!!