Newcastle must sell before buying again, Rafa Benitez says
Friday 18 August 2017 15:12, UK
Rafa Benitez says Newcastle must trim their squad if they are to make further signings before the transfer deadline.
Joselu this week became the eighth new arrival on Tyneside this summer, but work continues behind the scenes ahead of the August 31 cut-off point.
Tim Krul, Jack Colback and Emmanuel Riviere are among those training separately from the first-team squad ahead of the Super Sunday trip to Huddersfield.
And speaking at his press conference before the weekend Benitez said: "Obviously we have a lot of players we have to move out if we want to move [players] in. It depends on how many we can move in one direction.
"We have to wait and see if this work behind the scenes is good. If we can move players out it will be easier to bring players in. My focus now is to win on Sunday, to get three points and little by little to see where we are."
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Benitez agreed to stay on after a May meeting with owner Mike Ashley, who promised the manager "every last penny that the club generates through promotion, player sales and other means in order to build for next season".
Ashley gave a rare interview to Sky Sports last weekend in which he justified his running of the club, while admitting the funds available for transfers are "not enough".
Benitez was repeatedly asked to comment on Ashley's interview but would not be drawn, saying only: "I don't think it will change anything what I think about him saying this or that."
The Spaniard also claimed Newcastle supporters would understand reduced ambition for the season ahead, saying: "The fans have experience.
"They know what is going on and they know how difficult it will be to achieve what we expected in the beginning."
Benitez was more positive on the qualities striker Joselu, signed from Stoke for £5m, might bring to the squad.
He said: "He's been playing in the top leagues. He's a strong lad, good in the air, he can score goals and link with team-mates. Now we have to try to ensure we exploit his potential."
