OPINION
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez was left exposed at full-back after DeAndre Yedlin sustained an injury following his failure to bring in cover in this summer’s transfer window.
A number of names were shortlisted to replace the United States international temporarily, but one name United fans were hoping would not be on that list was Achraf Lazaar.
Fortunately for them, a move to Serie A side Genoa was on the cards for the 26-year-old earlier this summer – but he has now revealed that his proposed move has fell through, which will undoubtedly raise his first team hopes.
This news is set to leave the supporters seething.
He was quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport [as transcribed by Calcio Mercato] as saying: “On Friday morning, Newcastle had authorized me to fly to Italy. I just had to sign the contract. Several voices were coming but, in the evening, the two clubs told me correctly that the deal had faded. And now? I hope to regain my space. I will work hard to get back to the top and be the protagonist, if not I will look around.
“We did not see the real Lazaar. At Newcastle I played very little and last year at Benevento we were relegated.”
Based on these quotes, Lazaar is obviously hoping to break into the Newcastle team after his failed move – but this will certainly not go down well with the club faithful.
Fans do not want a player who is viewed as a risk – mainly due to his lack of playing time – on the pitch when the team are trying to register their first win of the season.
Survival is a key priority for Rafa Benitez, and there is no way he would be likely to gamble on a left-back who has only played six times since his move in 2016 – with none of those appearances even coming in the Premier League.
Benitez may not have the best cover at full-back, but Lazaar must not get his hopes up now he is likely to remain at the club until at least January, as he does not have the quality to thrive in the top-flight.
The Spaniard must not take a gamble on him, or he will feel the wrath of the fans.
