There is an article in the Sun linking another goalkeeper to Newcastle. It was only a few weeks ago that we were linked with Kevin Trapp of PSG who spent this past season on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Walter Benitez– Excellent young Argentinian goalkeeper
Walter Benitez, no relation to Rafa, has had an outstanding season for OGC Nice in Ligue 1. He has saved 81 per cent of all shots on target which leads all goalkeepers in the big five European leagues.
Benitez joined Nice on a free transfer in the summer of 2016 from Argentinian club Quilmes Atletico. While he didn’t play much his first season, he has been their number one for the past two seasons making 70 appearances over that span.
With Rob Elliot likely to leave this summer, Newcastle could be looking at bringing in a new keeper to push number one Martin Dubravka. Backups Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman featured sparingly this past season with only four appearances between them.
Both Darlow and Woodman have just one year remaining on their contracts. While we like both of these keepers, we only rate Darlow as a very dependable back up. We also would like to see Freddie Woodman loaned out for a full season to see how he performs.
We felt he looked a bit shaky in his three FA Cup appearances this season. While we would like to see him signed to a new contract, a full season on loan would be beneficial for the youngster.
Benitez, who was left out of the Argentinian Copa America squad, had this to say about that and the links to premier league clubs:
“I like the Premier League. It’s a very important league and I would like to play there one day.”
“I don’t think that moving to England is the only way for me to be in the Argentinian team, because the main thing is my performances.”
“But to play in the Premier League would probably be good for my chances in the national team.”
“I have recently signed with Wasserman football agency, so I feel like my career is heading in the right direction”
According to the report, both Crystal Palace and Wolves are interested in the young shot-stopper. We would like to see another keeper brought in to push Dubravka as that would leave three quality keepers for next season if Elliot were to leave and Woodman went out on loan.
Competition for places is vital to get the best out of individual players. This was very apparent in central midfield and central defense at Newcastle last season.
Players like Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden, and Sean Longstaff had to wait their turn to get into the side. However, once they did they cemented their place.
If Newcastle can get this type of squad depth in other areas of the pitch as well, they could be a force to reckon with.
221 comments so far
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:47 PM
Comment #81when you say give it a rest do you mean don’t post?
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:47 PM
Comment #82Are we to believe that everything going to turn out fine ?
With a bunch of BS and some nice cheap words
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:48 PM
Comment #83No I mean stop insulting the fans intelligence
We’re not that stupid
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:48 PM
Comment #84toon22 we don’t know if it will turn out fine we will just have to wait and see.
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:49 PM
Comment #85no harm in speculating though.
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:49 PM
Comment #86The more the PR post to smooth it over the more you dig a hole
We arnt sll tgat stupid,after 12 years there’s no lies let that can be believed
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:50 PM
Comment #87toon22 try and be more specific if you want to engage in discussion.
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:51 PM
Comment #88Jane
It’s going to be a long year,maybe 3
But an idiot can see where this is going
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:51 PM
Comment #89you think Rafa won’t sign but he might
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:51 PM
Comment #90Ahhh
I’m not interested in your payed options,I’m trying to be nice
We’re not that stupid
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:52 PM
Comment #91it doesn’t mean that Rafa isn’t going to try or are you saying Rafa is going to be complicit?
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:53 PM
Comment #92sometimes toon22 i think you are that stupid !
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:53 PM
Comment #93Once Rafas mugged off for one last time
And the next victim is dragged in
How long do you think it will take for the fans to decide they want to hurt MAs tat shops in the same way he has hurt our club ?
ben.g
May 25, 2019 at 11:54 PM
Comment #94I saw your post after Jane, seperate from the one I saw…
“Rafa won’t be thinking i’ll take the money and resign myself to fighting relegation.”
That I agree, so I apologise
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:54 PM
Comment #95Jane
Your blatant PR
Sadly you also don’t have a way of hiding it
jane
May 25, 2019 at 11:55 PM
Comment #96no probs ben.g but thanks anyway 🙂
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:55 PM
Comment #97Ben g
Hiya KBA
We’re not that stupid
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:55 PM
Comment #98It’s going to be a long weekend
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:56 PM
Comment #99The reason I’m here is to point out the obvious PR
That’s for helping my cause
toon22
May 25, 2019 at 11:56 PM
Comment #100Thanks even
chicousa
May 26, 2019 at 12:01 AM
Comment #101Here are a couple predictions:
1. Rafa and Ashley will come to terms in the next few days
2. Rafa will get most of the assurances he asked for but not everyone
3. chicousa will get his first paycheck from KBA
4. Toon22 will lose his grip on reality and will keep mumbling about strawberries while rolling some ball-bearings in his hand
😉
ben.g
May 26, 2019 at 12:01 AM
Comment #102Don’t worry Jane, think I’ve jumped the gun with a few others! Rob leenio springs to mind
toon22
May 26, 2019 at 12:02 AM
Comment #103The PR,MA and his goons have no idea what havoc will befall him and his interests
ben.g
May 26, 2019 at 12:03 AM
Comment #104Chico,
You been smoking weed today.
toon22
May 26, 2019 at 12:03 AM
Comment #105Ben
Bollix
Don’t treat us kind we’re that stupid
It’s insulting
NY Mag
May 26, 2019 at 12:03 AM
Comment #106Ben,
Rafa asking for things in a contract – we discussed this a little bit last night
I can understand why Rafa would be asking for full control of any budget (and I agree that he should be given that control)…..but the complexities of contracts for players are vast.
Hypothetical situation, the budget is 30M and Rafa wants to spend that entire amount on one player, who then decides the length of contract? Salary? Bonuses and image rights?
How does that fit in with other players wages , does it cause an imbalance in the squad mentality, does it comply with FFP regulations?
While I agree with Rafa being given control, he has to have somebody beside him (whether that’s Charnley or someone else) who has an overall appreciation of the financial picture to advise / guide him.
I don’t want Rafa buried in excel spreadsheets and continually on the phone with agents – I want him on the training field doing what he does best.
Bottom line is that I think Rafa will get some, but not all of what he is asking for – is that enough for him to stay? I don’t know…..
Sorry for the rant and I’m not having a go at you personally (just putting it out there)
chicousa
May 26, 2019 at 12:05 AM
Comment #107ben.g
Nope! But I should have! 😛
toon22
May 26, 2019 at 12:05 AM
Comment #108For the actual fans
Read this back and decide for yourselves
You think they plan to give Rafa that contract
And the PR are just here for a laugh
toon22
May 26, 2019 at 12:06 AM
Comment #109We’re not that stupid
stan anderson
May 26, 2019 at 12:11 AM
Comment #110So we just expect the top 4 or 5 teams win all the trophies and we struggle to stay in the Premier League.
toon22
May 26, 2019 at 12:17 AM
Comment #111That’s the plan
Keep the advert global while making money from football
NY Mag
May 26, 2019 at 12:23 AM
Comment #112Toon22,
I’m kinda going against my own advice here…..but I always like to engage with whoever is posting.
You have a fairly militant stance (which is your right)……so can I ask what activities you have been involved in that backup your posts on here ?
Given up attending games?
Attending protests?
ben.g
May 26, 2019 at 12:25 AM
Comment #113NYmag.
When Rafa stayed he was given all.
X amount to spend how he saw fit, fee’s, wages ect… all as he saw fit
(IMHO, there was something in Rafa’s contract to break that) so the sale is ongoing just to keep Rafa from spending.
Rafa want’s to know how on fees and wages he has to spend.
With no bishop though
ben.g
May 26, 2019 at 12:27 AM
Comment #114Chico,
Me to!
NY Mag
May 26, 2019 at 12:28 AM
Comment #115Ben,
I hope you’re right…….
ben.g
May 26, 2019 at 12:31 AM
Comment #116In black and white though nymag
ben.g
May 26, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Comment #117So do I mate!
NY Mag
May 26, 2019 at 12:43 AM
Comment #118Ben,
We all hope for a positive outcome……the alternative really doesn’t bare thinking about
Nicky the ball tosser
May 26, 2019 at 12:44 AM
Comment #119I don’t think you need to be buried in excel sheets to figure out that if you sell Gayle for 15 million for example and buy a replacement at 25 million and pay him an extra twenty grand a week for 4 years that you’ve spent 15 million from your budget. Rafa just needs to know what his budget actually is at any given time, and have the freedom to spend it as he sees fit. Charnley and co need to know the detail, Rafa only the bigger picture.
NY Mag
May 26, 2019 at 12:47 AM
Comment #120Nicky,
Fair comment……I was just giving an example where I wouldn’t want Rafa bogged down in ‘red tape’
He’s much more valuable to us doing what he does best.