After years of mismanagement and failure, Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley seemed to have taken a precise resolution last year when he appointed Rafael Benitez as the new Magpies boss. It was an uphill task to escape relegation and even the former Liverpool and Real Madrid gaffer failed to do so.
However, Ashley convinced him to stay for another season and start working from the scratch following their demotion to the Championship. Benitez, the decorated Spaniard, accepted the challenge and managed to gain an immediate promotion conquering the 2016–17 Championship title.
Newcastle Players Who Impressed This Season
Rafa Benitez influenced plenty of Magpies stars to remain with the squad at least for another campaign in spite of relegation. Also, he made some smart signings who had quality as well as the experience of Premier League football. Although the Spaniard failed to keep hold of a few top-notch resources ( Georginio Wijnaldum, Moussa Sissoko, Andros Townsend and Daryl Janmaat), the replacements he bought in were well capable of securing an automatic promotion.
Dwight Gayle was brought in from Crystal Palace and the attacker ended up scoring 23 league goals to become the Magpies top scorer for the season. Ex-Liverpool playmaker Jonjo Shelvey decided to keep working under his former boss and delivered a superlative campaign in the midfield.
Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu and former Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie had productive campaigns and helped Newcastle to return to the top-tier of English football. They struggled with defensive flaws and instability since previous campaigns, however, young Englishman Jamaal Lascelles brought back the balance in their vulnerable back-line.
Players Who Disappointed The Most
A few of them have underperformed as well. Veteran right-back Jesus Gamez was brought in from Atletico Madrid to provide much-needed experience in the defence, but the Spaniard struggled to register a place in the squad following consecutive injury blows and lack of match fitness. Also, the young guns Sammy Ameobi and Massadimo Haidara failed to impress the gaffer and do not look like having a future for the Tyneside outfit.
Season Status
Newcastle were favourites to win an automatic promotion and they met the expectations by ending up as league leaders above Brighton & Hove Albion following the outcomes of the final game week. However, their miserable cup run continued as they failed to progress much in both domestic cup competitions.
Areas of Improvement
Rafael Benitez, a Premier League warhorse, is already in the market to add experience as well as quality in order to stay up in the league and fight for a top half finish. He has sighted former Liverpool custodian Pepe Reina as his primary summer target. He will be looking to add one quality full-back as both DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett have been highly inconsistent. He has already made Christian Atsu’s move permanent, Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo is also believed to be a transfer priority who can add some width and depth in the squad.
Expectations From 2017/18
Newcastle United are not expected to be relegated at the end of the upcoming campaign and Rafael Benitez will make sure of a productive season with his vast experience and knowledge of Premier League football. However, the Magpies must improve their cup performances and will hope to have a lengthy expedition in the knock-out tournaments.
