OPINION
The last thing Newcastle United need right now is more worry.
With the prospect of a takeover from the Bin Zayed Group starting to look worryingly uncertain, and with Rafa Benitez less than a fortnight away from running out of contract at the club, things are already pretty tetchy on Tyneside with anybody pouring fuel on the fire.
Benitez’s contract is arguably the most pressing concern that the Magpies have to deal with, but even that is being made more complicated by suggestions that he could be in line for a shock return to Chelsea this summer.
As reported by the Chronicle, should the Blues fail in their bid to lure favourite son Frank Lampard away from Derby County, they could look to tempt the Spaniard back to Stamford Bridge.
That would be a major blow for Newcastle. While Benitez’s contract is set to run out, there has always been a feeling that the Magpies could, in effect, go beyond that deadline should he remain jobless in the immediate aftermath.
While there would no doubt be interest in procuring his services, there has been nothing in the way of serious, concrete attempts to steal him away from St. James’ Park.
These Chelsea rumours, however, feel more solid.
Or at least they would if it wasn’t for the fact that Benitez’s time in London wasn’t a wholly happy one.
He may have won a Europa League with the Blues, but his management style always felt relatively incongruous with a fanbase that like charismatic eccentrics and attacking football.
Truth be told, Newcastle surely have nothing to worry about.
