When Rafa Benitez decided to stay on as manager of Newcastle United over the course of the summer, it heralded a new dawn of optimism on Tyneside.
Not only had a recently-relegated side managed to keep a hold of one of the biggest managerial names in world football, Mike Ashley had seemingly agreed to change his ways of running the Magpies.
The Spaniard would be handed unprecedented control of the Toon Army in terms of transfers, as well as the day-to-day running of the club.
While the former Liverpool and Real Madrid coach will be judged on whether or not he can return us to proverbial Promised Land, the new setup further up the club’s structure could receive it’s first big test.
With Chelsea being linked with a move for skipper Jamaal Lascelles, it’s time for Lee Chanley and Mike Ashley to put their money where their mouth is.
Though the nature of the summer transfer window was a promising one for Newcastle, who stood strong during the Georginio Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko sagas, any interest in Lascelles is a different test.
The two aforementioned players departing was obviously the best for the club at the time (considering the relegation) but selling one of the most popular members of the squad so early into a potential revolution would be a monumental step back.
Nothing about the business conducted over the last few months suggests they will so meekly surrender top talent like in years gone by, though should normal order restore itself, the ‘Rafalution’ could be seriously undermined.
Perhaps that’s the cynical nature of being a Newcastle fan coming out, though it’s hugely important Benitez is backed in such areas when they are truly tested.
