Rafa Benitez led Newcastle United to an impressive top-half finish on their first season back in the Premier League as they ended the 2017/18 campaign in 10th position, and the ambitious Spaniard will be aiming even higher next term.
The achievement was probably even more remarkable given they looked to be in real danger of going down in March, as well as the fact that they only scored 39 goals in their 38 top flight matches.
Considering their defence – led by captain Jamaal Lascelles – was generally solid and was only breached 47 times, it was only their lack of threat at the opposite end of the pitch that stopped the St James’ Park faithful, who have delivered their verdict on a link with an attacker who earns £135,000-a-week, celebrating an even higher finish in the standings.
It is something that Benitez may well make a priority to sort out this summer, and while it will be hugely difficult to finish above the top six clubs, if the 58-year-old gets the individuals he wants his side can definitely secure a top-eight finish and compete alongside the likes of Everton and West Ham United.
Here are three summer signings that will ensure Newcastle gatecrash the Top 8 party next season…
Newcastle have been heavily linked with the Galatasaray winger for a while now, and Benitez may well be determined to finally bring the Cape Verde international to St James’ Park this summer following another impressive season for the attacker.
The 27-year-old scored 10 goals and provided a further 11 assists in 40 appearances in all competitions, and he would certainly add some much-needed pace, goal threat and creativity to the Magpies frontline next term.
Able to play on either wing, he would be a versatile addition that would provide some strong competition for Matt Ritchie, Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy in wide areas – especially if the Spanish boss can’t sign Kenedy on a permanent deal from Chelsea.
Like Rodrigues, the Netherlands international can play on either wing and has proven during his time with Spartak Moscow that he can regularly score goals and provide assists.
The 26-year-old has netted 64 goals and produced 33 assists in 128 appearances in total for the Russian club, and his pace and trickery from out wide would certainly make Newcastle far more of an attacking threat next term.
While he would likely come at a big price given he has a fantastic goal record despite often featuring out wide, he could prove to be a real Premier League star for the Magpies.
Benitez brought Joselu to St James’ Park last summer, and it perhaps hasn’t worked out for either party as they would have hoped with the Spaniard struggling to get on the score-sheet, or to even making the starting XI towards the end of the 2017/18 campaign.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic’s future in doubt that leaves Dwight Gayle, and the Spanish manager will surely want a big-name striker that will guarantee goals to join the Tyneside outfit over the course of the next couple of months.
Dost’s future at Sporting Lisbon is in doubt after he was injured when some of the club’s supporters attacked the players at the training ground last month, and with 70 goals in 90 appearances in total for the Portuguese club the 29-year-old would certainly bring the huge goal threat that the Magpies have been missing.
Do you agree, Newcastle fans? Let us know below.
