OPINION
Newcastle United attacker Jacob Murphy must be sweating over being able to regularly feature for Rafa Benitez’s side this season after it was reported that the Spanish manager wanted to sign a pacey winger in January.
The Chronicle reported on Thursday that Benitez was keen to bring in a left-back, a striker and a pacey winger in the January window even though he was going to be on a strict budget.
Given that Murphy isn’t seen as a guaranteed starter at the club by any strength of the imagination then the arrival of a new pacey winger would arguably see his appearances further limited.
The 23-year-old has featured four times in the Premier League this season but is yet to complete 90 minutes so the last thing he needs is more competition.
Especially competition that could have you question whether Murphy is really needed at St James Park.
The 23-year-old, who can play on the left or right wing, has been inconsistent with his performances ever since joining from Norwich City last summer as while he has blistering pace that could cause any side nightmares, his end product often lets him down.
Given that goals and assists are effectively the name of the game for a winger then if a player, who is equally as speedy, arrives but can also utilise his pace better by having a better delivery then Murphy could soon find himself pushed out of the first-team picture.
This is because as it stands, Murphy is just raw potential who offers the Magpies a pacey outlet so he would become redundant if someone else can do that job and much more.
Fortunately for the promising winger there is plenty of time to go before the January window opens, which means he has time to show that he is more than a speed merchant by actually looking like he is learning from his experience.
Therefore Murphy should start to sweat now as Benitez hunts down a new speedster for his flanks as it might inspire him to up his game now rather than later.
