Newcastle United round-up: Benitez taken ill; Boss committed to fans; Transfer window change

By Jake Jackman

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez won’t face the media tomorrow as he continues to recover from a recent hernia operation, according to the Chronicle. The Spaniard had hoped to be back in time to deliver his press conference ahead of the Swansea City match after missing three days of training. He tried to return to Tyneside on Thursday, but he had to turn back after suffering pain in the car. Francisco de Miguel Moreno will stand in for the boss and it remains to be seen whether he can return to take his place on the touchline this weekend.

This is noteworthy as it would have been the manager’s first opportunity to address the recent transfer window. His thoughts would have been interesting after the club failed to sign any more players. However, it will be an even bigger blow if he doesn’t return in time for the match this weekend. Benitez is an influential figure on the touchline and Newcastle will be weaker without him there.

The Spaniard has been linked with the exit recently as the rumours persist on his unhappiness. The Mirror report that Benitez will battle on as Newcastle manager and will give his backing to the current squad to do a job over the next few months.

“The North East already feels like home for me. I am grateful to have such a positive relationship with our fantastic supporters. They are always behind us and played a big part in our success last season. All I can do is continue to work hard every day and try my best to give them a team to be proud of.”

These comments don’t sound like the Magpies’ boss is looking for a way out. It is clear that he has a special relationship with the supporters and he will want to deliver success for them. Benitez is an honourable man and he won’t want to walk out on the fans. He feels a duty to them and that should be enough to see him commit for the rest of the season at least. The problem won’t go away, but a drastic solution is unlikely in the immediate future.

Earlier today, the Premier League clubs voted in favour to close the summer transfer window before the start of each new season and this will start in 2018. The Chronicle report that Newcastle United voted in favour of the amendment. It wasn’t a unanimous vote, but the Magpies were one of the clubs that voted for the change.

This will mean that the transfer deadline will be 5pm on Thursday 9^th August. The new rule only applies to the acquisition of players and foreign clubs could still buy players from England while their windows were open. This does appear to leave Premier League clubs at a disadvantage, but the thinking behind the change is that the focus will be on the football once the season starts.