COMMENTARY
It is fair to say China has established something of a reputation among British football fans as somewhere that players go to get a big payday without having to face the same quality of competition as in Europe – and it seems money is on the minds of plenty of Newcastle United fans too. As revealed on the Magpies’ official Twitter account the club are jetting off to China for their pre-season preparations at the end of the current campaign, joining top flight rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham and Manchester City in competing for the Premier League Asia Trophy. It seems to have drawn out mixed opinions from the Toon Army, with plenty suggesting it is a money-spinning exercise for owner Mike Ashley, while a handful of others believe it is important in building up a brand for the club, as so many have done over the last decade. Having generally taken to the likes of Ireland for their previous training camps, and manager Rafael Benitez having spoken about the impact long-distance travel can have on a team’s preparations, there is understandably some worry about how he will feel regarding the decision to head out to China. You can understand why some have called it a “ludicrous decision”, but could it prove to be a “positive step” for the club?
🌏🏆 Newcastle United – along with @ManCity, @WestHamUtd and @Wolves – will compete for the @premierleague Asia Trophy in China this summer.
Full story: https://t.co/NvoHWn2NHM #NUFC pic.twitter.com/1bVkE5rpIH
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 26, 2019
Nothing but Newcastle has gathered a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
If Rafa stays he definitely won’t be happy about this
— jonny (@jgray2706) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/greggas90/status/1110469709173084160
Premier League!! Let’s hope that one doesn’t come back and bite us on the ass eh 🙈
— NUFC.org (@NUFC_org) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/JoshMoffet17/status/1110351593566818309
This is about commercial revenue, trying to grow the club. Its a positive step & one of many things the club are doing to keep Rafa.
— Jossy’s Giant (@NUFC_1987) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ashley__OUT/status/1110345941444411392
https://twitter.com/stevenpichet/status/1110424572707434496
https://twitter.com/LewisWi78328322/status/1110347197583904768
