According to reports, Newcastle United are now eyeing a move for former Manchester City winger Jesus Navas as Rafael Benitez comes closer to the new season. The Spaniard was released by City as soon as the season ended, along with the likes of Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta and Willy Caballero, and it is just a matter of time before someone picks him up.
Despite being excluded from Pep Guardiola’s grand scheme of plans, the Spaniard definitely has some brilliant attributes that would come in handy in the Premier League. And Benitez seems to be gambling on it. Being a newly-promoted side, the Magpies are expected to bring in mostly loanees and top side rejects, and Newcastle haven’t surprised anyone.
The wings have been a depleting position for the Toon with only Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie feasible. While the young option of Rolando Aarons is there, his inexperience makes him a risky prospect. Newcastle are done waiting for Yoan Gouffran it seems, as they are aggressively digging for potential replacements.
And their panic situation hasn’t quite helped the manager as he finds himself going after unproven options in the Premier League. With other reports of the Magpies pursuing Middlesbrough’s Adama Traore, now comes the name of Jesus Navas.
At 31, Navas is definitely not the speedster he once was, but he still retains the technical superiority generally present in Spanish players and can provide some of the most mouthwatering crosses from the right flank. Guardiola using him as the right back last season also indicated his versatility in the defensive third.
With a target man like Dwight Gayle up front, Navas’ inclusion could be a big hit if Benitez manages to execute the plan perfectly. Although his Premier League career hasn’t been as glittering as his La Liga one, the winger still managed to score eight goals and 39 assists for Manchester City since joining them in 2013. And prior to Guardiola, he was pretty much a regular at Etihad under Manuel Pellegrini indicating that his ouster from the City camp was pretty much for tactical reasons.
Being a Spaniard, Benitez would know the strengths and weaknesses of the player better than anyone, and his presence in the attacking third could give Newcastle United a big edge. Navas’ speed and composure of the ball were the primary reason City had brought him from Sevilla.
And Navas’ experience at the top level is undeniable. Not only has he lifted the Premier League trophy in the 2013-14 season with City, he has also won the World Cup and European Championships. He would definitely be a huge addition.
