---
title: "Newcastle United: Fans aren’t convinced with players offered clean slates"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-fans-arent-convinced-with-players-offered-free-slates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ally Darlow"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2019-07-07T19:15:41Z"
modified: "2019-07-08T08:00:32Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Fans aren’t convinced with players offered clean slates

**Following [fan protests after Rafa Benitez’s departure](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/newcastle-fans-protest-rafa-benitez-17158341) and club legend Alan Shearer [describing](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/shambles-alan-shearer-lays-newcastle-16479160) the situation as a ‘shambles’, it’s been an eventful summer for Newcastle United.**

Now, despite the uncertainty in regards to a potential new boss, as well as a [takeover](https://twitter.com/LukeEdwardsTele/status/1145248697292398593), [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-manager-takeover-news-16541810) have claimed that a number of returning players could be offered clean slates at St. James’ Park.

> “Sources say the mood is positive and players have returned looking forward to a 2nd chance at the club after being frozen out/sent on loan. Lazaar, Gayle, Aarons, Elliot, Colback told they have a clean slate.”
>
> So much to say about this Chronicle article. I’ll bite my tongue.
>
> — NUFC360 (@NUFC360) [July 6, 2019](https://twitter.com/NUFC360/status/1147542769361129473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The likes of Jack Colback, Achraf Lazaar, Rob Elliot, Rolando Aarons and Dwight Gayle were reportedly told they had a clean slate at the club and, considering their status during the Benitez era, sections of the support online aren’t overly impressed.

[According to Sky Sports’ Pete Graves](https://twitter.com/PeteGravesSky/status/1147826335546531841), Salomon Rondon likely won’t return to St. James’ Park and will instead sign for Rafa Benitez’s Dalian Yifang whilst Isaac Hayden, [as per The Northern Echo](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17746372.isaac-hayden-reflects-on-newcastle-career-as-he-waits-to-learn-if-he-will-be-leaving/), could be set to leave for £15m, leaving a number of players who have done little for the team in recent seasons as potential options for next season.

You can read the Magpies’ comments on the situation here:

> If they’re back in the fold, we’re relegated.
>
> — Chris Billany (@cbil1984) [6 July 2019](https://twitter.com/cbil1984/status/1147543209687564288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Certainly won’t be renewing the ticket if clowns like them are going to be playing!!!
>
> — Connor Lakey (@connorlakey97) [6 July 2019](https://twitter.com/connorlakey97/status/1147562936430465024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> That’s our 5 new signings of the summer
>
> — Ryan Osborne (@RyanOsborne9) [6 July 2019](https://twitter.com/RyanOsborne9/status/1147543065290260480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> As i read it my soul fell out onto the floor!
>
> — Roy McCalvey (@cupsnatcherfilm) [6 July 2019](https://twitter.com/cupsnatcherfilm/status/1147544659817897984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> That’s a mid table championship list of players at best
>
> — Ryan Brooks (@Ryzilla85) [7 July 2019](https://twitter.com/Ryzilla85/status/1147833309503901697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> There not good enough simple as that
>
> — Cormac Poland (@Cormac007) [7 July 2019](https://twitter.com/Cormac007/status/1147804016275009536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> They weren’t good enough to get us out of a relegation battle 2 years in a row in rafa’s opinion, what makes Neil Redfearn and others think differently
>
> — joseph kelly (@1he1ruth) [7 July 2019](https://twitter.com/1he1ruth/status/1147789733432573953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)