OPINION
Rafa Benitez opted to set the bar low for Newcastle United in the Premier League by stating that his side’s first target is just to stay in the division ahead of the new season.
The Spanish manager was asked in his press conference where his Magpies’ team were aiming to finish this season and claimed that they were just looking to make themselves safe from relegation as soon as possible.
“Our target first has to be to survive because we did so well last year,” said Benitez in his press conference ahead of his side’s Premier League opener against Spurs, as quoted by the Chronicle.
“The reality is that if we do what we did last year with commitment & togetherness, we can be a lot higher than 17th.
“How high? I don’t know yet. . .”
Benitez may have proceeded to state that as they club did so well last season, they finished 10th, then in reality the club are capable of finishing higher than just above the relegation places.
However the Magpies’ manager decision to reveal safety is the first target is clearly a reflection of his disappointment in the summer transfer market.
Benitez wouldn’t even consider the possibility that the Magpies could be pulled into a relegation battle after a strong second half of their 2017/18 campaign if the club had welcomed enough new faces.
But the fact remains that despite welcoming players such as Salomon Rondon and Kenedy it feels like Benitez’s squad is still lacking strength in certain areas.
For example the full-back position if current first-choice left-back Paul Dummett or first-choice right-back DeAndre Yedlin get injured then the Magpies will be struggling to field a worthwhile replacement for the pair.
Benitez is also no doubt aware that while the Magpies didn’t do enough to strengthen the squad ahead of the new window when you consider Premier League new boys Fulham and Wolves went wild in the transfer market and look ridiculously ready to make an impact in England’s top-flight.
The Cottagers spent over £100million on new recruits, as reported by Sky Sports, while Wolves spent £63million on adding new players to their already talented squad according to Squawka on Twitter.
If Benitez was truly happy and confident regarding his transfer business he wouldn’t play it safe by saying avoiding relegation was the first target in the Premier League so his comments are clearly a reflection of his transfer views.
