Paul Gascoigne revealed that he believes Newcastle United could very well finish higher than 10th in the Premier League if Rafa Benitez stays and the club spend money.
The retired Magpies favourite, who played 92 times for the club, claimed that the Magpies could have finished higher than 10th if they simply acquired better players.
Gascoigne, also known affectionately as Gazza, stated that it was impossible to win games without good players and that even with Benitez as boss the club need to splash the cash on new recruits.
“I think someone like Rafa, it’s always important for any team to keep a manager like that,” said the former Magpies midfielder in an interview with BetStars.
“You look at his CV, but nowadays you’ve got to spend money, it’s as simple as that.
“In order to compete with the likes of Man City and Man United, or any club for that matter, you need to spend and spend well. If they want to keep Rafa, they need to give him the money to improve the squad, if they don’t he won’t want to stay.
“Players, you can’t win games without good players. Newcastle did well to finish 10th but could’ve finished higher. Keep hold of Rafa, give him money to spend and they could well do that.”
OPINION
Gazza names the two things that Newcastle need to finish higher and both of them should come as no surprise. The former Magpies star shares that with money and Benitez then dreams of finishing higher in England’s top-flight are a reality. It’s interesting that Gascoigne claims the club did well to finish 10th in the league when it was said and done in the 2017/18 campaign, but bizarre that he then stated they could have finished higher. The 51-year-old appeared to imply that the Magpies lacked enough good players so it’s hard to see how he also thinks they could have done more with the squad that was available to Benitez. Aside from that it’s hard to fault Gazza’s uncontroversial opinion as everyone involved, and not connected to the club, can clearly see the potential there is for success at St James Park. For the sake of supporters, here’s hoping Mike Ashley grants Gazza’s wish by tying down Benitez to a new long-term contract while also spending big to recruit players worthy of featuring for the club.
