The agent of forgotten NUFC defender Achraf Lazaar claims that the Moroccan will refuse all offers to leave Newcastle this summer, insisting that he is determined to fight for his place under Rafa Benitez and become a success in the Premier League.
The left-back was signed by Benitez in the summer prior to our year in the Championship, but only went on to make 4 league appearances that season, and went on to secure a loan move to Benevento last summer to earn some much needed game time
It didn’t get much better for him though. He’s played just 10 times over the last year, with him being ditched by the Italians after their new boss cut short his loan move to make way for the free agent signing of Bacary Sagna.
He’s now due back on Tyneside for pre-season, and the Chronicle revealed recently that he will actually get his chance to prove his worth to Rafa Benitez before any decision is made on his future.
That being said, his agent, Roberto De Fanti has spoken out about his clients situation this week, insisting that he has no plans to leave Newcastle this summer, with him planning to refuse any moves away and fight for his place:
“Lazaar has a contract until 2021 with Newcastle, he wants to return to play for Benitez and he intends to refuse all the other destinations.
“Achraf wants to play his cards in the Premier League, his future therefore will be in England.”
We shall see. It’s good to hear that he’ll be gunning to impress Benitez this summer, with him clearly being intent on salvaging his career at St James’ Park, but then again, why wouldn’t he?
He’s just been rejected by the side that finished rock bottom of Serie A and will miss out on Morocco’s World Cup squad as a result, so he’ll be aware that a decent move away from NUFC won’t be forthcoming if he doesn’t turn things around quickly.
Good luck to the lad, but if his last two seasons are anything to go by, it’s unlikely he’ll suddenly become a part of Benitez’s plans.
Here’s him in action vs Juventus last season:
He’ll refuse all other destinations because he’s realised he’s onto a good thing, and won’t get paid anywhere near as much for doing nothing, anywhere else
Brian Chader(Quote)
Watching that footage he seemed able to defend and disposess but when in possession he lacked the ability/confidence to go forward. Instead opting to pass inside towards goal each time putting the defence under more pressure.
JulioLaker(Quote)
Rafa obviously sees things in players that I don’t.
I would never have sanctioned the purchase of Lazaar, Selz, or Joselu, .
That’s probably why I am not a football manager and Rafa is.
sidekick(Quote)