Rafa Benitez has admitted that he was ‘expecting something different’ when asked about the club’s summer business so far – proving the Mike Ashley’s end of season statement was filled with lies and empty promises once again.
Benitez was told just a few months ago that he would receive ‘every penny‘ generated by the club, yet here we are having spent just £4m so far this summer.
Just EIGHT weeks ago Ashley said Rafa had his ‘full support’ – a statement that just highlights the severity of his lies given the total lack of support or signings that have been offered ever since.
Here is the statement Mike Ashley made following our final day win over Chelsea back in the middle of May, followed by what Benitez has had to say 8 weeks on from his big post-season promise:
Mike Ashley (May 2018)
“Rafa, as always, has my full support, and contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him.
“I hope very much that Rafa will remain at Newcastle United.”
Here’s what Benitez has said this week when asked about the backing he’s actually received this summer:
Rafa Benitez (July, 2018)
“I was expecting something different.
“People have to realise we’re not signing the first [choice] on our list. Or the second. Or the third.”
Benitez has turned down the Spanish managers job, refused to take a holiday and instead worked away all summer on transfers, yet here we are with less than three weeks remaining having signed not ONE player who’ll improve our first-team from last season.
Instead, Rafa’s now being forced to do EXACTLY what he had to last summer, scraping through the bargain barrel for any half decent signing he can get his hands on. He wanted change, or at least progression, yet the same mistakes are being made once again and, if anything, the level of investment seems even lower.
Where’s the £123m made by the club last season? The £50 instalment that’s arrived from the Premier League this month? The £10m received for Mikel Merino?
No wonder Benitez refuses to accept Ashley’s words when he’s not even backed up a statement he made just over eight weeks ago.
There’s a clear stand off, with Ashley only willing to ‘release funds’ if Benitez signs and Benitez only willing to sign if Ashley shows ambition, but why on earth would Rafa believe he’d do that?
Ashley can not be trusted or second guessed and Benitez’s latest comments only help expose what a liar he really is – especially when you put alongside Ashley’s most recent statement.
The fact that Ashley is full of ****, and broke promises does not surprise me one bit.
What does surprise me & what I don’t understand is why Rafa is still there when he’s openly admitting that he’s not even getting to sign his 3rd choice players?!?!?!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Rafa resigns / leaves his contract he is liable to pay £6 million. So Rafa is just running down the contract and will walk away next summer.
He’s show such great character and dignity to continue to pursue players who will improve NUFC and do the best for the team.
David Fairhurst(Quote)
We haven’t even spent four million , we have a surplus of 6m from merino sale , plus where’s the rest of the money gone
Jack(Quote)
What u mean he lied all summer? Ashley has lied and cheated ever since he took control of the club
John Howe(Quote)
King Kev exposed Ashley,Rafa is in his pocket
bob(Quote)
Agree with all the comments on here, Ashley is a leech and his sucking the club dry
Darren(Quote)
King Kev exposed Ashley,Rafa is in his pocket
If a player runs down his contract he’s regarded as being greedy.
bob(Quote)
Ashley wants a profitable club,not a successful one,
Mike(Quote)
Bob – I wouldn’t go as far as he’s in his pocket, coz he’s not defending him in the way Pardew did.
But KK was the example I was thinking of. He sued Ashley and won – Rafa has probably a stronger case.
Unless he’s waiting for the window to close – I guess it’s only then that he can truly say that Ashley didn’t stick to his promise.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Strayed onto YouTube videos today of NUFC season highlights in the mid 90s.Keegan created such a great team with relatively little money but what got me quite emotional was remembering the hope and anticipation back then.
Enough of this club being used for free advertising and support to his failing shops.Time to run this leech out of Toon.
#IfRafaGoesWeGo
*sigh*(Quote)
Leach! Is what he is!…and leaches only stay attached if there’s a continued supply of blood!!! If! Or should I say when! Rafa leaves…so should the fans!!…as you won’t be supporting a football club…you’ll be feeding the leach each time you turn up….keep your money in your pocket and support the toon in its recovery once the leach collapses with starvation.
yanah ya man(Quote)
Spot on, Olly, like usual. This time, though, I can hear your frustration, sense your pain and totally understand your anger. You are a true believer. That’s why it’s so hard to take.
Peter(Quote)