Sports

Newcastle Must Spend To Keep Benitez, Says Jenas

Published

7 years ago

August 17, 2017

Former Newcastle United player, Jermaine Jones has told the club to spend more in the transfer window or risk losing Benitez.

Newcastle won the championship last season and lost their first match back in the Premier League 2-0 to Tottenham.

Jermaine Jenas has warned the Toffees that they could lose Rafael Benitez if they don’t spend.

“I am 100 per cent with Rafa [on needing new players],” BT Sport pundit Jenas told Goal. “It is difficult for me because when I was playing for Newcastle United, they were third in the league and playing Champions League football and consistently were finishing the in top four.

“Yeah they won the Championship and finished last season on a high but it almost makes me sick that the players and manager put their heart and soul into the league and then they are not backed to improve.

“The market is crazy and they can’t afford to go too big on signings but as far as I am concerned with the team that they have got now will be in a relegation battle at the end of the season. Is that good enough for a club at the size of Newcastle? No, as far as I am concerned.

“So I am 100% behind Rafa Benitez. He has done his job, got them back into the Premier League at the first time of asking. You have banked god knows how many millions for being in the Premier League, or you will bank it over the next few years, now invest it and back me as a manager.

“I am with him all the way. It makes no sense to not go for it and protect your status. Not only that, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to look at what they have got and say it is not enough. I suppose Newcastle fans and even Rafa are probably only asking for signings to give them a better chance.

“Right now, they are amongst the bottom three teams. He wants a chance to survive and that’s all he’s asking for. If they don’t get it, they could lose their most important person and that’s Rafa Benitez.”