Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he was gutted to see Andros Townsend leave the club for Crystal Palace back in 2016 and admitted he looked at signing him again a year later.
The former Tottenham man joined the Magpies from Spurs during the January transfer window of 2016 but despite an impressive stay at St James’ Park, his form was not enough to stop his new side from being relegated.
Departing after just six months on Tyneside, Benitez revealed he was not happy about his departure and that he looked at potentially re-signing the winger a year later.
Asked if he was happy to see Townsend leave the Spaniard told the Chronicle: “No. I was talking to him. When I was here he was a very good professional and did really well at that time. When he came here he had some injuries and maybe fans think about the time he wasn’t playing.
“After that he had the chance to go and took that chance because he was very close to playing for England. He said: ‘If I stay in the Premier League I’ll have more chances’. So you have to understand that he is a professional and wanted to do well for his country. He left, but he was a good player.
“(In 2017) We were talking about names (of potential signings) and he was one of them.”
Opinion
Townsend and Newcastle was like a short term love affair – the memories created were great but there is always that feeling that it could have been something more. The winger really was one of the Magpies’ best players during that ill-fated season, scoring magnificent goals and providing a directness and energy in attack that had been lacking quite significantly. Unfortunately it was not enough to save them from the drop and he decided, quite rightly, to leave and remain in the Premier League. He has continued to impress the Crystal Palace supporters and it should come as no surprise Newcastle were keen on bringing him back to the club once they found themselves back among the top flight. It was obviously not meant to be and the Toon Army, not to mention Benitez, will be thinking what could have been had he come back for a second spell at St James’ Park.
