With Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez having to make do with very limited resources in the summer, he was effectively forced into taking some chances on players who had failed to make the grade elsewhere.
The likes of Mikel Merino, Joselu and Javier Manquillo were all signed after being at clubs where they had been discarded or deemed surplus to requirements. The most surprising of the three however was Manquillo who had played for Sunderland in the club’s relegation from the Premier League last season.
Speaking to the Shields Gazette on Saturday, Manquillo said he was delighted with the £4.5m move from Atletico Madrid after his difficult loan spell with the Black Cats:
“In football, you never know what is going to happen in the future. You can have a really bad time and then it can quickly turn around. Fortunately, that’s what has happened with me. I knew I had to join Newcastle and that we could have some good times.”
Some Newcastle fans feel however that Manquillo has not performed to a good enough level so far. The 23 year old is currently playing out of a position at left back but it hasn’t stopped some supporters being critical of his recent performances:
Joselu, Perez and Manquillo start ahead of Mitrovic and Mbemba? If that was McClaren/Pardew the crowd would let their feelings known. #NUFC
— Dean Leybourne (@DeanLeybourne) November 5, 2017
Jesus Gamez played better at Swansea than Manquillo has played against anyone else. Agree? #nufc
— Øli (@VintageHayden) November 5, 2017
Javier Manquillo is a waste at Left-back, gives no support to Atsu, keeps coming back on his right foot. #NUFC
— Himanshu Dhingra (@HD_07) November 5, 2017
Quick moan then moving on.
Joselu, Perez & Manquillo not good enough for #nufc .
To be fair, we all knew it. #howaythelads— Nufc_22 (@Nufc_22) November 4, 2017
"Rafa prefers Spanish players" is an argument I'd struggle to oppose. None of Manquillo, Ayoze or Joselu should be starting. #NUFC
— TheMackemSlayer (@TheMackemSlayer) November 4, 2017
Joselu is Useless! Murphy is slower than Francis. Manquillo is poor. #NUFC
— Himanshu Dhingra (@HD_07) November 4, 2017
Manquillo better than Mbemba? Gamez? #nufc
— Liar Null (@Null0ss) November 4, 2017
How is Manquillo playing ahead of Mbemba, let alone anyone else (including the ball boys) #NUFC
— Mr Batistuta (@Angel_Batistuta) November 4, 2017