We had a form of break through recently with West Ham unable to poach Rafa from Newcastle and it being reported that the Spaniard has committed to being at Newcastle next season. However, he stopped short of signing a new deal, with the just 12 months left on his current contract.
Some may wonder just why he didn’t sign a new deal if ‘positive talks’ had led to him committing himself to the club for next season, but he’s a wise man and knows exactly what he’s doing.
Rafa is a master politician and knows once he sings his leverage also goes with Ashley, so is wisely using the contract to get the reassurances he wants in place before he commits. He wants to sign, but he’ll use this summer and next January as a test – ‘show me you’re capable and willing to match my ambitions over the next two windows and then i’ll sign’. Why would he commit to a new deal before he’s seen first hand whether Ashley will deliver on his ‘promises’? After all, what Ashley says he’ll do and what he actually does are often two very different things, so Rafa’s bound to demand proof before he makes the same mistake again. Once bitten, twice as shy..
So, with this in mind, what will be the priorities for Rafa before he considers a news deal?
Will they match his ambition?
This is the biggest sticking point – Rafa wants to win trophies and Ashley wants to stay up, spend as little as possible and continue to use NUFC as a vehicle to promote Sports Direct. There needs to be some intent from Ashley to do something with the club or sell up – and Rafa is forcing him to do one of them. Even Ashley must know it would be toxic to a whole new level if he let Rafa walk away. He back McClaren with cash – so why not do the same for a genuine, world class manager?
If you have some free time, watch an interview Sky Sports La Liga expert Guillem Balague did with Rafa on his YouTube channel. It is an hour long but near the end he covers NUFC and Rafa tellingly says it is always easy to agree salary and contracts with him, deals are held up when he wants the club to back him in making things more professional – the academy, growth for the future and a commitment to wanting to win trophies. The ball is firmly in Ashley’s court.
Will we sign a proper striker?
After a frustrating last few windows, Rafa bailed us out with two shrewd loan moves in Kenedy and Dubravka last January to fire us to a top half finish. However, with TV money now secured again – he will want a quality striker and not on loan. He is always linked to us but if we did manage to get someone of the ilk of Bas Dost this summer it would be a real signal of intent to Rafa that we mean business and that his future lies here for the longer term.
Rafa will also be keen to ensure we do these type of deals quicker. We lost out on the likes of Caballero, Loftus Cheek and Abraham last summer as we dragged our heels. Ashley needs to lay the budget out clearly and let Rafa get on with it – and now.
Can we even compete to sign Kenedy?
Fresh speculation has surfaced claiming German side RB Leipzig are now also keen on the Brazilian, along with Arsenal and PSG. He seems open to returning, but a move is looking more and more unlikely for us based on his likely cost and those big guns interested.
Regardless of where he ends up gong, it will be telling for Rafa to see the club even compete to sign a player of his quality and potential price tag. That will at least be a sign for Benitez that finances/ a show of ambition are in place this summer. If we weren’t able to sign him or bring him back on loan, there’d be another big whole to fill out wide.
Will we finally break our transfer record?
This ties into our pursuit of a top striker but it is long overdue we break our transfer record. Every other top flight team had broken it within the last two years and our record should not be half of the likes of Leicester. We have went backwards under Ashley but even he must realise we need to spend more to even just stagnate. We can likely sell Gayle and Mitrovic for a combined fee of nearly £30m so that £17m fee paid for Michael Owen must be a thing of the past come August. In fact, to sign a new deal, Rafa will want the record broken 2/3 times this summer which in today’s climate, isn’t much to ask.
Rafa forcing these questions is brilliant for the fans, even if we live in fear in case he leaves. At least someone is making Ashley answer for his lack of ambition and Rafa knows he has the power and pedigree to back Ashley into a corner.
Long may it continue; we can celebrate finally having such an ambitious manager at the helm. It does mean though we don’t get the news we want this summer, that Benitez has signed a new deal. But while he stays in some capacity – he must have hope he can win the power battle with Ashley – otherwise he would take up one of the other offers he will no doubt be getting.
I find Everton’s appointment of Silva quite bizarre. The guy got relegated with Hull and got sacked by Watford for being on course for relegation. What has he achieved? As Eric says, just a merry go round of the same people.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart. Agreed. I know it don’t work like that and yes. Gamechangers cost money. But next season id we start with a new no 9 and the rest the same I would be happy If I could look at the bench and think we had some real options. I’m not expecting four new starters. Three possibly?
PremAndUp(Quote)
Right back, number 9, Kenedy? 4 if you count Dubravka as new?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The problem is that Fatty knows it will only take 35 or 36 points to stay up. I think it was 34 this year.
It is a risk, but the top 6 take almost all of the points from the bottom 14 who in turn then have to play each other and get quite a few draws anyway. I am sure there is some stats guru who could explain all this but I just feel that 35 points will be enough again so the Fatman will not dip into his pocket very much.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If we imagine that Mbemba, Mitro and Sels are sold we will need to replace them. Gamez has already left and Rafa is said to be wanting a right back. Do we need an upgrade on Joselu?
If Rafa thinks we massively over achieved last season then I reckon he’s going to want upgrades on striker, full back, number 10 and wing
Stuart79(Quote)
Now we have Dubravka, we either need Kenedy or according to Olly, Pione Sisto. Latest thread. Other than that the only real players under threat would be Yedlin & Perez. We could survive with that starting 11, but would need streangth in depth to challenge for places to prevent complacency. Who have we got that Rafa Trusts
PremAndUp(Quote)
I think we were an anomaly last year. We beat Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, drew against Liverpool and probably should have beat Spurs. So that is roughly about 25% of our points from the top 6. Then we get beat home and away by a **** Everton team. NUFC, eh.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It was Rooney that dun us
PremAndUp(Quote)
I think we can get Kenedy because it is a made up story hat FC Bayern want him. Rafa likes Perez. The main addition is a number 9. No idea who though. Tosun went to Everton and he seemed most likely to fit into our style of play.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The big problem with that – Tosun cost £29m!!!! He’s been pretty average too. That’s the biggest problem we face.
Stuart79(Quote)
Since Stuart is on I will go on a political rant.
Is there such a thing as a liberal free marketeer? I think that is me. I hated Thatcher and hate Trump but I also think Marx and Engels are full of ****. I don’t believe in the welfare state but I do believe in a safety net for those that cannot look after themselves. I live in a country where the healthcare system is broken and if you go to Medical school it is like writing a blank cheque to yourself. The NHS with all its flaws is better because most people have access to basic care.
And Brexit is stupid but me Mam voted for it even though I tried to convince her otherwise.
So there ! 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Only played like 10 games. He was great in the Champions League and Turkey.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And he played for Big Fat Sam.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How can you be a free marketeer and be in favour of the European Union? ?
You won’t be surprised to know I voted to leave and that was based on a few things but two main reasons are to have full control over our own trade policy and also to have full control over our own regulations and laws.
Stuart79(Quote)
There’s talk Rafa wants to bring Abraham’s in on loan this season – he’d be an upgrade on Joselu.
Abel Hernandez is available on a free transfer, as is Fredericks from Fulham at RB. Rafa has already made mention he’s still a big fan of Torres (though I think that one is very unlikely).
I’d love to bring Kenedy back and ideally on a permanent deal, but a loan would do (but that would put pay to Abraham loan). Isn’t Shaqiri available for £12m, and lots of paper talk about Adama Traore from Boro.
I like Josh King a lot and think he’d fit Rafas way. Very hard working and knows where the goal is. He may be available for around £20m.
Could we possibly bring Andros Townsend back as part of a deal to take that sees Mitro go to Palace.
Sharpy17(Quote)
still no word back from KIM as of yet
icedog(Quote)
Eric
Your mother is obviously a lot wiser than yourself.
sidekick(Quote)
Is she travelling, or sick? I hope she is all well.
funrafa(Quote)
If we can bring Abraham in, it will be a huge upgrade.
I don’t think we afford Townsend anymore.
I saw JM’s rumor yesterday and kind of believe it as Rafa was trying to sign him as the sub for Higuaín in Napoli. But it is quite possible that we can’t afford his salary.
funrafa(Quote)
I can see where you are coming from having been to Brussels and seen the bloated bureaucracy there. I still think the lesser of two evils would have been stay.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
🙂 I have a crush on Angela Merkel. I think that’s what it is.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Abraham has not set the world alight in his only PL season. Not fussed about him really. Maybe as back up but we still need a proper forward.
Shamrock(Quote)
Brussels is a really strange place. Stayed at the Metropole, had steak frites, went to the square and drank Belgian beer. Then the rest is just faceless euro bureaucracy buildings so I can see why people are opposed to it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can you think of any Sham? We get the French League here and the best player has been our reject Thauvin. Anybody scoring 15 or more in Italy or Spain is out of our price range. Germans? Karius, maybe? He is probably better as a Number 9 than a goalie.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have a suspicion about Moreno. I originally thought it was his back but now I think he is homesick. Some people just don’t settle. It was the same with Thauvin.
You can imagine how some players just wouldn’t understand Newcastle. Sometimes when I come back I don’t understand it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
it Wouldn’t surprise me if we had to compromise again on the striker we get. We’re clearly not going to invest big money like everyone else so we might end up with a £15m striker who’s a bit average. Then everyone blames Rafa. If is budget is as reported then all Rafa can do is mix and match like last summer.
Stuart79(Quote)
Two goals at the World Cup and Mitro will be 35 million.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The problem is that when you try to think of a striker in the 20-25 million range you come up with Mitro and Josh King. The others with 15 plus goals are talked about for 40 million and up. Arnautovic is rumoured at 50 million and he has only been a number 9 for like 6 weeks.
Lewandowski is rumoured to cost 100 million and he is 30 in August.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sham, if he made a fuss he will be out of our reach. I see lots of potential on him.
funrafa(Quote)
That is what I think – mix and match for another season.
funrafa(Quote)
May as well go for any unproven, average striker then in that case.
Shamrock(Quote)
Eric, that’s the whole problem. We want premium for our striker but aren’t prepared to pay it for a striker we obviously think is better. Muddled thinking at best.
Stuart79(Quote)
Liverpool have a new striker what happens to ings and origi.
Jackson Martinez is on a free if he could capture his old form
WBA will have to let Jay Rodriquez go.
European strikers like Moreno at Espagnol
Plenty of options. I think we will get two one maybe £20m and another cheap and see what happens.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – you’re right mate. I’d be happy enough with 2 £20m forwards – I like and would happily take either Ings or Origi.
If we are saying that a £20m forward could/would bag us around 15 goals, I’d happily take 2 of those.
This season Gayle got 6 goals and Joselu only 4. So even if a £20m forward can get double what Gayle got, that would do for another top 10 finish I reckon
Sharpy17(Quote)
I meant one £20m striker with a free agent or loan
PremAndUp(Quote)
Bloody hell, Sharpy! 2 x £20m strikers!!!! ? I’d bet now we don’t buy 1 x £20m striker
Stuart79(Quote)
Prem – sorry yeah so did I mate. I can’t see our budget stretching to 2 with as many other positions needing improving sadly. But you never know – if we could get £20m for Mitro and £12-15m for Gayle – there’s only £5-7m to add for 2 £20m forwards ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stu – no mate, it was initially a mistype and I meant 1. But if our player sales went our way, then maybe?!.
I think it will all heavily depend on who’s available as well like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Apparently Villa want £40m for Jack Grealish – you have got to be shitting me?!?!?!!
If he’s £40m, how much is Kenedy worth???
If Grealish at £40m comes off, the world has truly gone mad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Donald Trump has been President of the USA for more than 2 years. Train left the station for the world going mad a long time ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hang on though. They really want 40 million for Grealish? There must be a giant comet heading our way that will wipe out all of the dinosaurs.
Oh wait, that already happened. There must be a Giant Fat Man in the Whitehouse that has his finger on the nuclear button.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
On SSN mate, on about Leicester wanting him when Mahrez goes to City.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Told you this morning that Madrid would go after Pochettino. I am changing my name to Mystic Meg.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/31/real-madrid-mauricio-pochettino-tottenham
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As I said, Madrid will go after Neymar as well. Just wait.
Mystic Meg(Quote)
Levy will ***** and moan but there is no way Poch will turn Real Madrid down.
Mystic Meg(Quote)
I see Chronicle are reporting that Jabba is to continue to take a “back seat”. How can someone who is required to give the green light for any transfer over a relatively small fee be seen as taking a back seat?
Stuart79(Quote)
I have looked in my crystal ball and seen:
Poch to Madrid
Neymar to Madrid
Sarri to Spurs
Christiano to PSG
Gareth – that is still foggy. Will have to get back to you on that, the clouds are as dense as Eric Sykes’s brain on that one.
Sunderland to make 3rd division playoff but fail.
2 Aussie bloggers to inexplicably turn up on the same day in 4 months having not posted anything in the meantime and then deny they are the same person.
Mystic Meg(Quote)
That was dumb of me!!!
I should have called myself Mystic MAG.
Mystic Mag(Quote)
Abramovitch & Visa problems. Means that he has cancelled the new Stadium. He probably is rapidly losing interest which is why Conte is still there. He is reported to be willing to sell at £1.2bn. If he has no interest the n Conte wont have much of a budget and the first teamers stay and Kenedy becomes available.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Poch at Spurs.
Why would Real Madrid go for a manager who has won nothing?
PremAndUp(Quote)
he now said he wants more than 400 mil y/day because he will have to put more of his own money into club,dont know where he gets that from,imo he has never wanted to sell the club
icedog(Quote)
Conte may surprise everyone and just leave. Thing seem to easily fall apart at Chelsea. Go on Rafa – buy Loftus Cheek and loan Kenedy. 😀
Ings or Origi is a decent shout for strikers but Prem’s notion of game changers on the bench is far fetched. They’d be very expensive and not on the bench! There’s something about Abraham I don’t like but can’t identify what.
Welcome back Aussie, Bris and Funrafa!
georgio(Quote)
West Ham have signed Fredericks from Fulham.
Stuart79(Quote)
Confirmed ?
PremAndUp(Quote)
Wasn’t Fredericks only on loan at Fulham?
georgio(Quote)
Prem – not yet but they have agreed a deal. His agent will probably wait for the highest bidder now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That’s what I had heard. Agreed terms. Setting the Bar.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Augsberg at Home.
I have their no 10 Gregoritsch as a target
Coincidence. Probably.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Weren’t we credited with an interest in Fredericks? I can understand why as he looked bloody good for Fulham. Is it a case if Rafa having another player in mind or the club just fu**ing about again waiting for the fat lad to get off his sun lounger?
Stuart79(Quote)
Journalist put 2 & 2 together. It is believed that Manquillo is out so we need a replacement to put pressure on Yedlin. Fredricks is on a free. He might well be an option. Now that a deal is agreed with WHU will the agent be on the phone to Rafa saying do you want to improve on it. Yes, definitely. Does that mean that Rafa rang him first and enquired. Possibly. Does it matter? If we do get a new RB will it be to replace Yedlin. Does Rafa see that as a key place to strengthen. Dopes he have a list of preferred options, of course. Was Fredricks on it. We dont know. But That total lack of evidence is enough to claim that we wre **** and it’s all Ashleys fault.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Actually Prem, it maybe a good idea if you read my comment. I never claimed anything. I simply put a couple of possibilities. Is that not what a blog is for to discuss different possibilities?
Stuart79(Quote)
I di read it and it was clear what you were suggesting
PremAndUp(Quote)
This is the trouble with all the transfer speculation nowadays though.
Ollie has just thrown an article up about it, which reads ‘just 3 days after the Chronicle confirmed our interest in Fredericks, West Ham pip is to the post’ – it’s a load of *****.
The Chronicle can’t confirm **** all!! – I don’t believe they have a copy of Rafas targets and Rafa hasn’t been on the blower to any of them to confirm anything. Yet it’s written like fact and some believe it and then start accusing the club of failing again – on a player we may never have been interested in in the first place.
I’m not singling out Ollie by the way. Loads of blogs do it when you go on News Now it’s full of them – and because it’s seen in numerous blogs it must be true – but they are all covering the same ‘non factual’ story – and filling the article full of ads to turn a profit.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Where’s wor Kim at???
Ice you heard anything back from her yet mate?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The other thing with the Fredericks deal is we nothing about what he wants of what WH have offered.
It’s free in the sense you don’t pay a fee, but no player is ‘free’. He will want a sign on fee, his agent will want a fee and then there’s the small matter of his wages.
It may be that we were interested, it may be that we ask about him – but it’s also entirely possible that we didn’t like what we heard and walked away.
Sharpy17(Quote)
no mate nowt yet,ive just this minute checked my emails
icedog(Quote)
strange like Fredricks left Spurs because Yedlin was signed and Spurs said he would be their first choice,funny old game
icedog(Quote)
Because they have an aging core and Pochettino has shown he can develop young players. And there aren’t really any managers left that they haven’t hired. Simeone, Konte and Allegri are too defense minded. It pretty much leaves Poch and Klopp.
Mystic Mag(Quote)
The madman is available. rumour he off to leeds
PremAndUp(Quote)
I think The Chronicle don’t really have any contacts at NUFC. Maybe that is because Ashley went all Vladimir Puten on them or because their staff just lack quality now. I listened to one of their podcasts the other day with Chris Waugh, and I think Musgrove, and it sounded like some sort of sixth form student amateur hour.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t think Ryder has contacts either. He is just dialing it in now. He goes on the tours with them so you would think he could build a rapport with some players and staff, but all his reports say nothing and offer no new news.
I think John Gibson had some contacts back in the day at NUFC but he has a very limited role at the Chronic now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
There is just so much “news” out there now with social media that you don’t know what to believe (this is social media as well). It is a desperate dive for clicks whereas the papers used to have steady income from car dealers and small ads to pay some of the bills.
There is still no excuse for Lee Ryder’s continued employment though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spot on, mate. Well said.
Now I need to go find my AMF login and make another comment. It might take a while. (come on, oz, set you up)
Czech 0 Aussies 4. Heh heh heh.
Brisvegas(Quote)
I will definitely be watching Tim Cahill with his zimmer frame and hearing aid at the WC.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cahill is definitely the one to watch. Not De Bruyne or Neymar or Messi. The Socceroos are the team to beat.
Eric Sykes(Quote)