Rafa Benitez took no time in getting Newcastle United back into the top flight, just a year after they were relegated. The Spanish manager has assembled a smart squad at the club, and will now look to push into the top half of the table in the next season, to make sure that the club makes decent progress after promotion as well.
The manager has been able to add some decent quality to his squad already this summer but is still looking to improve on a few positions in the squad and one such position, though well stocked; that Benitez wants to improve on is his goal keeper’s position.
Rafa used Karl Darlow as the first choice shot stopper in the Championship while Mats Selz was used as his backup. Rob Elliot, who is now 30, was the third choice while the ageing Tim Krul might not find a place in the first team next season. These are decent options at his disposal but Rafa is still determined to add a top quality star to his squad before the start of the next season.
The manager was looking at the likes of Willy Caballero from Manchester City and Pepe Reina from Napoli but he has not been able to strike a deal with either side, staying on the search of another shot stopper.
And reports today suggest that Benitez has decided that RB Leipzig star Peter Gulacsi is the right man for the job this summer. The Hungary international has previously signed for Rafa Benitez in his time at Liverpool and though he was not able to break into the first team as a youngster in that stint under the Spaniard, Gulacsi could be the first choice at the St James’ next season.
Known for his extraordinary ability to save penalties on a consistent basis, Gulacsi is a pro-active keeper who is always on his toes. He may not be the best shot-stopper in the world but his positioning sense and ability to read the striker’s mind makes him an effective option in the top flight in Europe.
He played for five different clubs in Europe before settling into the first team at RB Salzburg, where he helped the side to a league title. However, he jumped the ship to Leipzig, cementing a starting XI place, making 40+ appearances in two seasons in Germany.
With 10 international appearances for Hungary as well, he is a settled and established international and could be the right man for the Magpies to work under the bar next season.
