Rafa Benitez has discussed the departure of Tim Krul today, explaining that the club have enough goalkeepers and could not stop him from leaving given his need for first-team football – claiming he knew that he had no future at the club once he returned for pre-season this summer.
Krul has been a great servant of the club, being on our books for 12 years before his permanent move to Brighton was revealed earlier this week.
Here’s what Benitez has had to say about the Dutchman during his pre-match presser today:
“After the injury the club gave him an extension (Aug 2016). After, he knew our decision. We wish him all the best.”
“We have enough goalkeepers in terms of numbers. You cannot stop a player if he wants to play. It’s OK”
The Dutchman has had his fair share of injury issues and, as Benitez alludes to, he was handed a one-year contract extension last summer. He then spent a season on loan with Ajax and AZ Almkaar in his homeland and had returned this summer stating how he hoped to force his way back into Benitez’s plans.
From what Benitez has said today however, he had no intention of giving Krul a second chance at NUFC, stating the ‘he knew our decision’ soon after he returned for pre-season this summer – suggesting Rafa was not impressed by what he saw of him during his loan spell in Holland last season.
Rafa is right. With Elliot, Woodman and Darlow also on our books, we have several capable keepers and to have Krul gathering cobwebs behind the scenes would be unfair. He is still just 29 and has plenty to still to offer at Brighton IrAm sure.
A ‘Geordie’ at heart and great servant of our club, who possibly deserved a more gracious exit given his 12 year service. All the best Tim!
