OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is showing a worrying amount of disdain for the Magpies stars of tomorrow judging by his actions in the transfer window so far.
While he is yet to admit that he was wrong about Aleksandar Mitrovic who is keen to join Fulham (source: The Chronicle), added to the fact that Mikel Merino is set to leave the club in the coming days (source: Sky Sports), what about the even less experienced early 20-somethings?
Young starlet Mace Goodridge has already been shown the exit door and has joined Burnley, as confirmed on their official website today, while the Chronicle claim promising winger Alex Gilliead, 22, is set to leave for nothing after reaching an impasse on his contract situation.
It begs the question as to why none of these talented players are making it into the first-team.
Mitrovic, 23, has never been given anything other than a sniff under Benitez yet fired Fulham into the Championship, and a player as talented as Merino has found himself cast into the shadows in the North East following an acute back injury.
The fact of the matter is, the Spanish manager likes to play it safe – he prefers experience and assurance over youth and exuberance.
But it cost the boss last term after he was left red-faced in light of his striker’s 14 goal frenzy at Craven Cottage when his own strike force failed miserably in front of goal – Mitrovic should have been given more of a chance.
It is a case of the same again with Merino. The 22-year-old midfield destroyer was supreme early on in the campaign but had to make way for the far experienced duo of Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame.
And even Kevin Campbell, the former Everton and Arsenal forward commented on Twitter about the recent departure of 18-year-old Goodridge, who joined Burnley just a couple of days ago and described him as a “Big potential.”
Good young player with Big Potential! Hopefully he’ll thrive at Burnley! ⚽️👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿😉 https://t.co/bvOnI1ghnF
— Kevin Campbell (@1kevincampbell) July 5, 2018
It is time that questions were asked of the Newcastle manager in order to see that the stars of tomorrow are given an opportunity to succeed at St James’ Park.
