Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United Signings Reviewed
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) DeAndre Yedlin holds a club shirt pitch side after signing a 5 year contract at St.James’ Park on August 24, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Rafa Benitez had a busy summer transfer window, signing eleven players on a permanent transfer and one on loan. The transfer came to around £57m spent. Players sold were nine, coming to £86m brought in.
You probably would not recognize Newcastle United’s squad if you’re just jumping into the season. The squad looks completely different to what it looked like last season. But with a strong performance early on, no one is complaining.
The only question is whether or not the signings that Benitez made will have any sizable impact on the club in the future. We’ve seen Grant Hanley’s mistakes firsthand, and it begs the question as to why he was selected ahead of Chancel Mbemba.
Want your voice heard? Join the Newcastle Toons team!
The sale of Daryl Janmaat leaves open the right-back position which will either be taken by DeAndre Yedlin, or veteran defender Jesus Gamez. It’s obvious that not all the signings will become starters. Many will find themselves left behind on the bench. But we’ll take a look at each new signing and see what kind of impact they can have on the club.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Goalkeeper Matz Sels looks to catch the ball during the Newcastle United training session at The Newcastle United Training Centre on September 9, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Matz Sels
The signing of Matz Sels is paying off dividends with four straight wins and some great performances. I was skeptical at first seeing him chosen over Karl Darlow who nearly secured safety for Newcastle Untied last season.
More from Newcastle Toons
Matz Sels is a young keeper with loads of potential, and he’s proven that over his past few apperances. He’s giving fans and management a lot to be excited about, and he may quickly find himself Rafa’s number one keeper.
He’s making few mistakes, and if he can keep that up, there’s no reason why he can’t continue being the top keeper for Newcastle United.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Dwight Gayle of Newcastle United wears a bandage after a head injury during the EFL Cup second round match between Newcastle United and Cheltenham Town at St. James’ Park on August 23, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Dwight Gayle
What is there to say about Dwight Gayle? Currently Newcastle United’s leading goalscorer and giving fans a reason to want him in the number 9 shirt. I was critical of Gayle being handed the legendary number seeing as he was newer to the club and Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic I felt had more of a claim to it.
If Dwight Gayle can continue scoring, I’ll be eating my words. Dwight Gayle is a more capable striker than I thought, and I’ll be the first to say I was wrong about him. Do I think he was worth the £10m that the club paid for him? That remains to be seen.
He was one of the most expensive transfers for Newcastle United during the transfer window, and he’s bringing much needed offense to a club that failed to generate excitement up front last season. It’s the reason why Newcastle is winning games.
BRISTOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United (11) speaks to fans prior to kick off of the Sky Bet Championship Match between Bristol City and Newcastle United at Ashton Gate on August 20, 2016, in Bristol, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Matt Ritchie
Newcastle United’s most expensive transfer by £2m during the summer, Matt Ritchie is as creative as it gets right now. If it weren’t for him, Dwight Gayle wouldn’t be putting up goals the way he has been. And alongside Ayoze Perez, I’m seeing a great partnership forming.
Matt Ritchie by far was my favorite player during Newcastle United’s disappointing debut. He was the only one creating chances and getting creative. He’s continuing that trend into Saturday’s match against Derby County.
He’s an experienced player in the Championship, and he’s no stranger to fighting for promotion. He’s currently, in my eyes, the greatest addition that Rafa Benitez could have made this summer. Creativity, an eye for goal, and experience in the Championship. What more could you ask for?
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Newcastle player Jesus Gamez in action during the EFL Cup Round Two match between Newcastle United and Cheltenham Town at St. James Park on August 23, 2016 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Jesus Gamez
Newcastle United needs more defenders. Whether or not Gamez is the kind of defender Newcastle United needs is questionable. But I like the signing due to his experience in La Liga, the Champions League, and as leader of a defense.
Granted, we’re not seeing that leadership, but the club has a mentor in him. His age speaks a lot about what he can bring to a club that has been getting younger every season due to a failed transfer policy.
Gamez beings experience and the ability to play physical football is just what Newcastle United needs in a physical league.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Isaac Hayden of Newcastle United (14) warms up during the EFL cup between Newcastle United and Cheltenham Town at St.James’ Park on August 23, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Isaac Hayden
Isaac Hayden is young, but he brings versatility to the table. A defensive midfielder and centre-back, Hayden brings the ability to move around the pitch seamlessly. While young, this gives Rafa the chance to mold Hayden into the kind of defensive player that can succeed at the top level.
Joining from Arsenal, Hayden came because he knew he’d get more playing time at Newcastle than he would at the London club. And I’m excited to see what he brings to the future. So far, Hayden has done well, but he has not truly stood out. I’m sure that will change during time.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Grant Hanley during the Newcastle United Training Session at The Newcastle United Training Centre on August 26, 2016, in Bristol, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Grant Hanley
I want to like Hanley, I do. But he makes some mistakes that shouldn’t be made at this level. But I think he’ll turn out alright. He was the top defender for Blackburn last season while also serving as captain of the club.
With that, I expect him to bring talent and leadership. So far, none have been seen, but I think as he settles into the club, he’ll perform better and make fewer mistakes. Hanley knows the Championship well, and because of that Rafa Benitez made the effort to sign him.
He may not have the talent and skill of Chancel Mbemba, but if he works hard to improve, I think he can be a serviceable player in the Premier League. That is, on the bench of course.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 2: Ciaran Clark poses for a photograph in the boardroom at St.James’ Park on August 2, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Ciaran Clark
This was a signing that I was very interested in. With loads of Premier League experience, Clark also suffered at the hands of relegation last season with Aston Villa. To lose him to Newcastle United almost seemed as if it was a statement.
Clark felt his chances of promotion were more likely than with the club he’s spent nearly his entire career with. I felt bad for Villa.
But Clark is a strong signing. He’s a good defender, and he has an eye for offense, which can help on forward runs. And at the age of 26, he’s quickly reaching the top of his game, and Benitez will want to hone his skill for the club’s return to the Premier League.
Clark wasn’t just a strong investment for the present, but it was a good look into the future as well.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United (15)frustration after narrowly missing the goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town at St.James Park on August 13, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Mohamed Diame
I don’t currently have much to say on Mohamed Diame except that I think it was a good signing in terms of bringing more creativity to the pitch. To have someone creative on your club in the Championship will minimize the need for extra physical play.
Diame is a strong passer, and I think he’ll bring a lot to Newcastle United in terms of playmaking and creativity. He’s a strong addition to Matt Ritchie and will definitely help with Ayoze Perez and Dwight Gayle.
Having scored nine goals last season in the Championship with Hull City, it can’t hurt to have Diame on our side.
DeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre Yedlin is by far my favorite signing of the transfer window. First of all, he adds a strong defensive ability to the club’s back four. Being young, he can only get better, and he’s already proven himself in the Premier League with Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.
I also am excited to see the club’s first American player in nearly a decade. Yedlin is one of the most exciting USA prospects, and he brings a work ethic that some players last season just didn’t care to bring with them.
He’s a great replacement for the recently sold Daryl Janmaat, and I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of DeAndre Yedlin in the future. I expect him to start against Derby County tomorrow.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Daryl Murphy during the Newcastle United training session at The Newcastle United Training Centre on September 9, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Daryl Murphy
Whether or not I like Daryl Murphy as a signing is hard to explain. Will he be on the bench or a starting player? Was £3.3m worth it for a 33-year-old?
I don’t think Murphy has much staying power. His Championship experience is the only thing that excites me about his transfer. He’ll bring a lot to the club this season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he found himself dumped on the bench if the club do make it back to the Premier League.
To be quite honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if he found himself dumped on the bench in the second half of this season. His age worries me because unlike Gamez, who himself is older than most Newcastle players, has extensive European football experience, as well as top league experience. Daryl Murphy does not bring that, I think the price we got for Gamez is more of a steal than the £3.3m spent on an aging midfielder.
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Achraf Lazaar during the Newcastle United training session at The Newcastle United Training Centre on September 9, 2016, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Achraf Lazaar
And we close out with the last permanent signing of the transfer window, Achraf Lazaar. Signing him from Palermo was a real coup in my eyes. A player who can play on the left wing or at left-back is versatile on offense and defense.
At 24, he was one of Palermo’s brighter youngsters, with the potential to blossom into a full-fledged star. Newcastle United managing to sign him for £3m is a steal. I look forward to the future of Lazaar, and hope to see him start against Derby County on Saturday.