Season Preview: Can Benitez guide Newcastle to safety?
Previous season
It took one final push for Newcastle to secure the Championship title, but three successive wins saw Rafa Benitez’s side leapfrog Brighton into first on the final day of the season. The Magpies were inconsistent in drips and drabs, but that is to be expected in a gruelling Championship campaign and their quality shone through in the end. There is a positive attitude around St. James’ Park once more with Benitez continuing to impress at the helm, even if he is frustrated by events away from the field.
His Newcastle side welcomes Tottenham on Sunday, and a repeat of the 5-1 win over Spurs on the final day of the 2015/16 campaign would sit well with supporters. It’s vital they make St. James’ Park a fortress this term in their bid to consolidate a top-flight spot and push on.
Transfer summary
Newcastle has made some notable movements in the market so far. Christian Atsu’s loan move was made permanent, while Jacob Murphy provides stiff competition for a starting spot on the flank with the Ghanaian. Javier Manquillo is a Premier League experienced full-back and is accustomed to the culture in the north-east having spent last season with Sunderland. Florian Lejeune seems a readymade fit at centre-back for Newcastle, while Mikel Merino is an astute loan capture from Borussia Dortmund. Florian Thauvin’s loan move to Marseille was made permanent, but otherwise there have been major departures from St. James’ Park this summer.
One to watch - Jacob Murphy
Newcastle spent in excess of £10m to sign young Jacob Murphy from Norwich, with the 22-year-old a key member of the England side that crashed out of the European U21 Championship at the semi-final stage. Nine goals and a further six assists was a respectable return for the young winger for the Canaries last term and it will be interesting to see if he can transfer his form to the Premier League. He may need time to adjust to the rigours of the top-flight of English football, but he is an exciting signing nonetheless.
Predicted finish - 16th
Rafa Benitez may have been frustrated by the lack of transfer activity so far this summer, but he’s still invested well. His top-flight experience, not to mention a solid core of players, means Newcastle should avoid the drop.
