Former Newcastle United left back Olivier Bernard is excited about seeing more of Achraf Lazaar in a Magpies shirt this season.
The Moroccan international has only started one match in the EFL Cup against Wolves so far under Rafa Benitez since his summer switch from Palermo but Bernard believes the Spanish manager is trying to slowly integrate the 24 year old into English football, giving him time to adapt to the style of play in this country. He wrote in his column for the Chronicle:
“Obviously there’s nothing that fully prepares you for a match situation until you actually get out there playing regularly, but Lazaar will have had as good a preparation as was possible. I can’t wait to see more of him though.”
“Lazaar is a very technical player, has a very nice left foot and is extremely attack-minded. He could potentially become a regular once he’s settled – and I think Newcastle fans might come to really like him.”
Lazaar will have to face stiff competitions for a place in Newcastle’s starting eleven with Paul Dummett the current incumbent in the position after starting all but one league match for the Magpies this season. Frenchman Massadio Haidara is still returning from a long term injury while Jesus Gamez, another summer signing, is also on the treatment table with a calf injury, but both players will also be competing with Lazaar for a starting spot as the season wears on.
