OPINION
Newcastle United defender Javier Manquillo has never really been a favourite amongst the fans and there are surely plenty out there who would want to see the end of the Spaniard sooner rather than later.
He has been playing second fiddle in the full-back positions for a while now – such as the time he provided some cover when left-back Paul Dummett was injured.
However, apart from that, the 24-year-old has never managed to force his way into Rafa Benitez’s plans on merit alone, and the latest news that has come from St James’ Park is not going to do him any favours in the slightest.
Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio has reported on his personal website that the Magpies have agreed the terms on a deal to bring Lazio left-back Jordan Lukaku on loan for the rest of the season, with an option to buy.
His move looks pretty much nailed on, and this can only spell the end for Manquillo’s career at Newcastle, as once Lukaku arrives as he is expected to, he will fall further down the pecking order for a place in the starting XI.
It would take a miracle for him to get a spot now these circumstances have arisen, so he must accept that his life on Tyneside is pretty much dead and buried.
It is not like he would be missed much, would he? It is hard to count on one hand the number of times the former Atletico Madrid player has impressed this season, with the number of woeful displays definitely outweighing the good.
Manquillo only has himself to blame for this situation – if he had proved that he is worthy of providing cover at full-back, then Newcastle would never have had to search for another player to deputise in this role in the first place.
The £35,000-a-week [Spotrac] liability must accept that his career with the Magpies is dead and buried – as there is no way of coming back once Lukaku joins forces.
