Rafa to Be Backed in January

As reported in the Northern Echo, Rafael Benitez will be told he does not have to sell players in January, unless he wants to.

This comes after supposed interest from Chelsea in the Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles, with the London based club apparently readying an £18million bid for the Central Defender.

While it is debatable whether Lascelles has yet done enough to command a fee of that size, what is surely not up for debate will be the Newcastle Manager, Benitez’s intentions of keeping his recently named captain at the club.

This stance further supports thoughts that Mike Ashley may have turned a corner in his ownership of the club, as for the first time, he seems genuinely interested in creating a good side, rather than making a profit on his sellable assets.

Lascelles represents a new era at Newcastle United, the era of change and long may this era continue and long may the manager responsible remain in charge.