Hayden situation shows Benitez stand-off is affecting Newcastle’s summer business

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Isaac Hayden has admitted that the uncertainty over the future of Rafa Benitez’s future at the club is affecting his ability to make his next move.

According to the Chronicle, Hayden has been in talks with other clubs but is no closer to finalising what he will do next for as long as Benitez’s situation remains unclear.

Hayden said: “It’s the same as always. We will see what happens in the summer but I have had plenty of talks with the clubs in the last couple of weeks.

“The signs have been very positive. I’ll see what happens. I don’t think the club will do anything without the manager’s say so. Especially if he stays. He has been very receptive and honest with me and I can’t thank him enough for the season I’ve had. He has been understanding of the situation.”

Hayden looks set to leave Newcastle anyway, but most clubs could have resolved the situation by now and lined up a suitable replacement, if there was certainty over the direction the club was going in and who the manager would be.

As it is, how can Newcastle attract players? They don’t usually spend enough money anyway and now they have the added barrier that potential signings don’t know which manager they’ll be playing for.

Even if Benitez stays, he will now be swimming against the tide in terms of preparation and planning for next season because it’ll be done on the hoof.