OPINION
Javier Manquillo has in recent years emerged as one of the more unheralded members of the Newcastle United squad, and that’s putting it kindly.
For a long time the Spaniard was viewed as a peripheral figure, someone whose form was usually so poor he was only called upon when injuries gave manager Rafael Benitez no other option.
However, over the past couple of months he has shown himself to be one of the more in-form players the Magpies have at the moment, and that continued in his team’s 3-2 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.
The former Atletico Madrid produced another tremendous display as Newcastle almost pulled off a huge upset against the title-chasing Reds.
Manquillo is a former Liverpool player, of course, having played for them during a loan spell in the 2014-15 season, and it was clear that he was fired up and ready to make an impression against his old side.
It’s rare that you come away from a Liverpool game praising an opposition defender, such is the strength of the Reds’ attack, but Manquillo proved to be the exception to the rule on Saturday.
What’s so impressive about the wing back is that he’s still just 24 years of age. It feels like he’s been around for years, but he’s not even hit his prime yet. Amidst this stunning run of form, that’s an exciting thought for the Toon Army.
One player who won’t be overjoyed by Manquillo’s recent uptick is teammate DeAndre Yedlin, who has seen his first choice status usurped by the Spaniard.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man, on a reported £30,000-per-week at St James’ Park [Source: Spotrac], could now see time called on his Newcastle tenure this summer after majorly disappointing this season.
It would have seemed inconceivable just a few months ago, but Benitez may very well be preparing to drop the axe on the American, with Manquillo now firmly installed as his first choice right wing back.
