Newcastle United have really been able to put up the kind of performances everybody expected them to do in the Championship. The Magpies have actually exceeded expectations with their current form which has saw them winning their last 7 games to build a 3 point gap at the top of the Championship table and they have played some scintillating football as well.
Rafa Benitez has been a major factor behind this, of course. The Spanish manager has been able to fix the problems pertaining to the defence drilling the team in training to turn it into a compact unit without the ball. By spending money in the summer there is now a much better balance in the squad with plenty of options on the bench.
Recently, there has been reports coming out from Manchester that Michael Carrick will be moving on at the end of the season. The versatile Englishman has not featured much since the appointment of new manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford and with the lack of playing time the midfielder is likely to make a move elsewhere at the end of the season.
The 35-year old has played with distinction for clubs like West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Since his move to Old Trafford 10 years ago, the midfielder excelled in the midfield and was one of the key components of the side that won 5 Premier League titles along with a Champions League trophy among many others.
Carrick’s ability to control the tempo of the game while covering his back four has been lauded in the past and it is still a mystery for some as to why he is overlooked by his current manager when he can provide the immediate solution to the problems the Red Devils are facing in the midfield.
The fact that he is being ignored when he can provide the solution has also been surprising for the player himself and with him recently acquiring a property on Tyneside has sparked rumours of the player’s potential next destination.
It is believed that Carrick can indeed move to his hometown of the North East with Newcastle United being touted as the club he will be signing for next. Born at Wallsend, the 35-year old is no stranger to the area and was actually a boyhood fan of Newcastle United.
Despite having a very good team at his disposal, Rafa Benitez would be delighted to have someone like Carrick in his team whose influence on the squad can extend beyond the pitch as well. In terms of football on the pitch, the midfielder is still capable of doing a job far decent than many and is a player in the position on whom Rafa Benitez puts a lot of a trust on, the deep-lying midfielder.
