After an incredibly poor start to the season that saw the team go 10 Premier League games without a win, it seems like Rafa Benitez has got his team back on track.
The Spaniard will be looking to build on his team’s recent run of form heading into the Christmas period, with the prospect of bringing in reinforcements in the January transfer window giving him food for thought. If owner Mike Ashley is willing to part with his cash, that is.
Given how business is carried out at St. James’ Park we expect that at least a couple of players will make way before Ashley considers any market activity.
That said, here are two players who could be sent on the way to make space for fresh faces…
Joselu
Despite only signing for the club last year, Joselu could and should be one of the players sacrificed.
With only two goals in ten games so far this season, it’s hardly surprising that we’ve selected him as one of the more disposable options in the squad.
Even Stoke realised he wasn’t good enough to be playing in the Premier League, loaning him out to Deportivo de La Coruna, and they’ve been relegated now.
Indeed, since the target man still carries a bit of value, despite being a pretty ineffective in front of goal, Ashley will be looking to cash in on him when financing a search for a new forward.
Javier Manquillo
It’s genuinely surprising that Javier Manquillo is still playing in the Premier League as he’s quite clearly not good enough.
Despite having played for some of the biggest teams in the world, including the likes of Atletico Madrid, Marseille and Liverpool, he just hasn’t contributed anything to Newcastle. And you’ve got to ask yourself: how has he managed for so long?
With all due respect, even DeAndre Yedlin gets the nod ahead of the Spaniard and he’s hardly the most gifted of players.
There’s a transfer to some second-rate Spanish side written all over Javier Manquillo – and Ashley would do well to make it happen.
