A detailed look into Newcastle United’s resurrection after Rafael Benitez took over the charge of the club would only leave us with sheer astonishment as to how they have excelled by eradicating their self-inflicted demons. The Magpies might have been demoted to the Championship owing to their relegation from the Premier League last season but their stupendous run of form in the second tier has ensured that they are posing not only as a strong contestant for the automatic promotion spot to the top tier but also as a prospective candidate to lift the second tier’s league silverware.
Benitez’s project is beyond giving Newcastle United a tag of a Premier League side, for the former Real Madrid boss aims to mould the black and white crops into a formidable English side which would seek to find a place in the lucrative European nights, eventually.
Although these dreams might be a far cry for them at the moment but plying their trade in the Premier League next season appears to be seemingly likely as they have garnered a decent lead of five points over Brighton & Hove Albion at the top of the league table. The Geordies would need more quality and apparently, Benitez has laid his sights on Hull City’s promising defender in the shape of Harry Maguire.
Maguire has attracted a lot of attention this season due to the fantastic manner in which he has discharged his duties at the back for the Tigers. Marco Silva’s men might be enduring a shambolic campaign but the 24-year-old centre-back has undoubtedly been the silver lining for them.
In 20 appearances so far this season, Maguire has won 34 tackles with a success rate of 52%, has made 50 interceptions, 93 clearances and 19 blocks apart from creating 6 chances for Hull City. The Toons would be looking to beef their defensive setup in the summer and Maguire getting linked with a move to St. James’ Park does make a lot of sense.
Maguire has the Premier League experience, is strong, technically sound and can impose himself as a long-term leader for Newcastle United in times to come. The former Sheffield United man would challenge someone like Ciaran Clark for the starting berth because of his top notch output and a touch of class. With Hull City likely to go down at the end of the season, it should be an excellent opportunity for Newcastle United to pull him out of the KCOM Stadium and under the tutelage of Benitez, Maguire can indeed reach new heights very soon.
