Ryan Mason has suggested Jordan Lukaku is not the signing that Newcastle United fans were hoping for, and has claim that bringing him in shows a lack of financial backing for Rafa Benitez.
The Belgian 24-year-old has agreed to join the Magpies on loan for the rest of the season, according to Sky Sports, but ex-Tottenham midfielder Mason has argued that he is not the big name that supporters were looking for.
Speaking on The Debate, as quoted by the Chronicle, he said: “I don’t think it’s the marquee signing that the fans want. I’m sure Rafa Benitez would have wanted a bigger name and maybe another three or four players.
“He’s not been backed, the manager, what an incredible job he’s done for the football club. He’s got them promoted from the Championship, he’s survived in the Premier League and the club need to back him.
“They need to give him what he wants because Rafa Benitez in my eyes is too good a manager for that football club to not give him money so it’s a shame.
“It’s a difficult moment Newcastle are in and I think they need to get a couple more over the line before the end of this transfer window.”
OPINION
Things are getting a bit ridiculous up on Tyneside now. Lukaku could prove to be a very good signing for the Toon Army, regardless of his status within the game, but he’s clearly not their first, or even second choice, and once again it feels as if Benitez is having to make do with whatever he can get instead of what he actually wants. That’s a real shame because, like Mason says, it suggests a lack of backing for his tenure, and it’s only a matter of time before he washes his hands of the situation out of sheer frustration. Nobody, Newcastle fans included, would really blame him, but it would be a huge loss for the club. For a long time the Spaniard has managed to get his side playing well beyond their means with a very average squad, and if he walks away then you worry for their future.
