Rafa Benitez has hinted that there is still hope for Achraf Lazaar as far as his NUFC career is concerned – with the Spaniard confirming that he went to watch the left-back in a recent U-23 fixture.
The Spaniard insisted that he went to watch ‘everyone’, however he confirmed that he is now a player he’s ‘keeping an eye on’ – with the forgotten full-back actually registering an impressive THREE assists in his last two appearances for the reserves.
That being said, you can’t help but feel he’d leave the club if an offer arrived in January, with him confirming in a recent interview that he is ‘ready’ to leave if Genoa reignited their interest in January.
Nevertheless, here’s what Rafa’s had to say about the Moroccan when speaking about his attendance at a recent U-23 game:
“I was there to watch everyone.
“But it is a positive for him to want to be involved with the Under-23s.
“It is something that we will keep an eye on.
“For us it is important to know what all of our players are doing.”
In Lazaar’s defence, I’m not even sure he was given a first chance at Newcastle – with him playing just 10 games in two and a bit years at the club. That does raise concerns, mind. Just why has Rafa never really fancied him since he arrived from Italy?
It’s a funny one, and it still seems likely to me that he is offloaded in January, however it’s good to see he is knuckling down and trying his best to impress Rafa (or a potential new suitor) by choosing to play for our U-23’s.
If we fail to get a new left-back once AGAIN in January, maybe Rafa may keep him around?
