When speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle this week, Rafa Benitez has revealed that Jacob Murphy has been training ‘really well’, suggesting that it’s a ‘question of time’ before he features in his first team plans – despite not featuring in our last FOUR games.
Whilst this is good to hear, I really did think that this season would be Murphy’s big chance to kick on and cement a first team place, however we’re yet to see signs of this.
He drifted in and out the first team last season – which was to be expected as a youngster in his first season in the Premier League – but it’s time he started showing more given he is most expensive signing we’ve made since we earned promotion two years ago.
Here’s what Rafa’s had to say about the England U-21 winger:
“He is training really well, so its a question of time for him”
"He's training really well, so it's a question of time for him."
Rafa Benitez has been speaking to @bbcnewcastle about Jacob Murphy – and says the 23-year-old winger, who hasn't featured in any of Newcastle United's last four matches, remains in his plans #NUFC pic.twitter.com/q8j3EmpfKd
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) November 21, 2018
It’s crazy to think that he’s still Rafa’s most costly buy since we returned to the top flight – but that says more about Ashley’s lack of spending than Murphy’s ability.
The timing of these comments are probably deliberate by Rafa, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he featured in Monday night’s game against Burnley, especially with Paul Dummett being a major doubt and Kenedy most likely dropping into left back, meaning a place for Murphy on the wing.
I do believe he is the type of player that is a confidence player, and a good run of games and decent performances will improve him massively.
I don’t think getting 10 minutes here and there and drifting in and out the side will do him much good – that said, he needs to start showing a little more when given a chance.
