When speaking to the press today ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Luton, Rafa Benitez has admitted that he STILL does not know his January budget almost a week into the transfer window.
Given Mike Ashley’s levels of incompetence over the years, we shouldn’t even be surprised to here this from Rafa, but to think this sort of stuff is still going on in the position we’re in is unbelievable.
Here’s what Rafa had to say today when asked if he knew how much he had to spend this month:
‘I don’t know exactly what is our budget, so I don’t have any news.’
“We have to keep working, make sure we have our targets and be ready, but still we don’t know the budget. All I can is prepare for the game.
“We had a meeting last week but I am waiting for an answer (from those above)”
“The only thing is you have to be ready, and that’s it. There will be less players available, for sure… But, still, you have options and then we have to keep working hard to bring someone that will help the team.”
NOT what we wanted to hear from Rafa – a man who must be growing more and more frustrated with Ashley by the day.
Ashley is believed to be away on holiday and this perhaps makes it all the more frustrating. He’s away lapping it up while the football club he owns, the fans and the world class manager in charge are left wondering if we’ll even have enough to survive this season.
Here’s some more info from journalists present at his presser and some fan reaction to Rafa’s comments:
Rafa Benitez has still not been told what his January transfer budget will be. Still wants all business done by January 20, however. Looking like a tough month.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) January 5, 2018
Rafa Benitez says he held a transfer summit last week where he talked targets and signing options, but he’s awaiting an answer.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 5, 2018
Rafa on names (Ings and Deeney): “We don’t talk about names.” #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 5, 2018
Unbelievable. https://t.co/fkHssqrh3X
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) January 5, 2018
Maybe it’s me trying to be too positive here, but does Rafa not know his budget because the club’s about to change hands? #nufc
— NUFC Index (@NUFC_Index) January 5, 2018
JESUS CHRIST WHAT IS THIS CLUB DOING MAN https://t.co/A3NEuFzNL6
— NUFC HQ (@NUFC_HQ) January 5, 2018
Demoralising stuff today
Best thing we can do is give full backing
No point huffing when someone committs the crime of losing possession or passing backwards.
These lads in the team are the lads for the season. Doesn’t make any sense to do anything else but get behind them.
— true faith #nufc podcast (@tfweeklypod) January 5, 2018