Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has praised Newcastle United for having ‘one of the best’ January transfer windows in the Premier League.
The Magpies broke their long-standing transfer record with their deadline day move for winger Miguel Almiron, while they also got left back help in the form of Antonio Barreca who arrived on loan from Monaco.
Smith was impressed with the club’s work, awarding their January an A- grade: “They have had one of the best windows with the timely club-record signing of Miguel Almiron,” he wrote on the Sky Sports website.
“So Rafa Benitez has been given the funds, but can he now hit the ground running? At least it has given the fans a lift though,” he finished.
OPINION
Up until Thursday this was looking like a historically bad transfer window for Newcastle. It seemed like the club had once again let Benitez down and failed to provide his squad with adequate reinforcements. However, to their credit they pulled through and provided him with the funds necessary to complete the much-needed addition of Almiron. His signing alone gives the Magpies a positive January grade. The Paraguay international is exactly what the team needs, a flair player capable of creating something out of nothing and getting the fans off their feet. The Barreca signing, as well, is positive because there has been a real lack of depth at left back for some time at St James’ Park. Paul Dummett, or Matt Ritchie in the team’s current formation, now has someone to compete with on the left hand side and hopefully that added competition will result in improved performances by all.
