OPINION
Newcastle United may be seeking to recruit another left-back in the January transfer window, but there is one player amongst their own ranks that they should avoid like the plague.
That player is left-back Achraf Lazaar, who has not made the greatest of impacts since he arrived from Palermo in 2016.
You will now find the 26-year-old representing the Newcastle reserves – and having played against the likes of Fulham and Notts County, he now has 101 minutes under his belt.
The Chronicle have reported that United boss Rafa Benitez is monitoring the progress of the Moroccan international, giving Lazaar an inkling of hope that he can salvage his career at the club.
It remains to be seen why Benitez is doing such a thing – if many Newcastle fans had their way, the left-sided player would not be even given the time of day.
Why should he? He has not contributed positively towards the United cause, so it is right to question why Lazaar keeps getting chances to make something of himself.
He is not good enough for Newcastle – end of story.
Benitez does not need to be wasting his time on such a hopeless player who does not possess the talent needed to thrive at a Premier League club.
He has better things to focus on rather than to track the progress of a player who is not even likely to make it into the first team any time soon.
When you think about it, can you actually picture Lazaar playing in the senior team?
Yes, Lazaar may be making the progress – like any player should be – but that does not mean that he will suddenly force his way into the starting XI.
There are players who are deservedly ahead of him in the pecking order for the left-back role, and that will most definitely not be changing any time soon.
The Newcastle flop must not be given the time of day – as it will only give him false hope.
