Rafa Benitez has gave his verdict on the recent events at Newcastle United – discussing our win over Manchester United, man of the moment Matty Longstaff and questioning Mike Ashley’s lack of investment at Academy level.
Posting on his personal blog from China, Rafa stated how ‘really pleased’ he was at the Magpies 1-0 on the weekend, taking extra satisfaction in youngster Matty Longstaff scoring the goal – a player who he has revealed was ‘great’ in training during his time on Tyneside.
To begin with, here’s what he had to say about Longstaff junior:
“I was really pleased to see Matty Longstaff scoring the winning goal for Newcastle; he was great when he was training with us and it was a good decision from Steve Bruce to make him play.”
These comments reassure Newcastle fans that Matty’s performance against Man United was not just a flash in the pan, with a manager of Rafa’s experience giving praise to the youngster holding a lot of weight in the footballing world.
He also speaks of his happiness at the number of Geordie’s currently in the Newcastle team, with 3 featuring against the Red Devils and Dummett sitting on the bench, however his next move was to issue a thinly-veiled attack towards owner Mike Ashley – and the point he makes is hard to argue against.
The Spaniard feels that, if money was consistently spent on the Academy, even more Longstaff’s could emerge, with his comments hinting towards Mike Ashley’s lack of investment at youth level during his time on Tyneside:
“I was also happy to see a few Geordies playing together at the same time; Carroll, Sean and Matty; surely it shouldn’t be difficult to see the benefits of investing in the Academy?
“£4m every year for 10 years means £40 m (one player); one ‘Longstaff’ every year for ten years seems good business to me.”
His comments here seem to point towards one of the reasons he didn’t sign a new deal over the summer, with it always said that Rafa was keen for the club to commit to an Academy overhaul – and you can see why. His point is simple yet so true and this is not doubt something he pitched to Mike Ashley during his time at St James’ Park.
It’s nice to see our ex-boss is still keeping close tabs on the situation at NUFC – even if it is still difficult to hear him talk about a club he should still have been in charge of.
He clearly still holds the love of Newcastle supporters close to his heart, but there is still a bitterness which surrounds his exit from the club this summer.
Maybe I am being optimistic (or deluded?), but this constant communication from Rafa to the Newcastle fans makes me believe that if a new owner did come in, Rafa would be willing to return in a heartbeat.
I got a bit lost there Charlie – what was the “intriguing new question” that Rafa asked Ashley, or are you just full of click-baiting ****?
First off – Rafa can’t be that smart, because it took Bruce to come in and give Matty his start.
The other thing is I’m not really sure where the correlation is between spending money on the academy and producing players? Rafa says if we made more of an effort we might get one Longstaff a year. OK – so our academy is **** and we need to spend money, but didn’t our **** academy with no investment produce a Longstaff last year and another one this year?
And while I personally disagree, all you fanatics have taken great pleasure in telling us that Sorensen is the next Messiah and we should never have let Gibson go to Everton.
So it seems to me, Charlie, that our Academy is already doing as well a Rafa claims we could be doing if we spent 40 million. It wasn’t the money stopping them. It was the manager.
Briiian(Quote)
Sorry but Matty Longstaff would have been sat on the bench at some league 2 club had Rafa still been here. Benitez had bo interest in youth and only gave Sean a chance as he had no other choice at the time. Bruce may not be as decorated as Rafa but he has started this season no worse than any of Rafa’s two full seasons and against Arsenal, Spurs and Man Utd Bruce almost scalped all 3 of them but for a mistake to gift a world class striker a winning goal. Rafa should not be trying to imply he should be given credit for Matty Longstaff no matter how subtle his wording
Stan(Quote)
I agree with both of you. Rafa got the most out of what he was given, but had to play for goal differential just to stay up. I feel with our healthy front line, Sunday was a glimpse into our new found attacking ability, and a change towards our youth. We actually have a very talented young squad. If Ashley does not sell them off, I see a solid second half and a lot of pieces to build on.
Rafa is a great tactician, but not sure he would ever embrace our youth as Bruce is now.
xEB50x(Quote)
Steady boys or you’ll endure the wrath of the Rafa Lovers, you know how they get really worked up up when someone criticizes him who walked on water.
😳 😳 😈 😈
nobbies nut(Quote)
Rafa Benitez is the best Coach in English and Spains, he help liverpool player improve and Real Madrid get champions League
bong8899(Quote)