Monday

Rafa wants more to boost Newcastle’s chances in the Premier League. Rafa said,

“When I decided to stay I was expecting another thing. Now we are where we are. I decided to stay because of a lot of positive things I could see, starting with the fans. Now I will try to do my best to be sure that the team we have will be good enough to compete and stay as high as we can in the Premier League.”

Rafa will do all he can for the 28-year-old Spanish International Lucas Perez. He has attracted interest from a lot of clubs in Europe. Benitez is hoping Newcastle can get his signature as the player was left out of the squad for Arsenal’s Community Shield Match. Rafa said,

“I like the player because I have good friends in La Coruna. I know that he did really well. Hes come here and not played in many games but I like the player. We know what we need and will try to do it until the end of the transfer window.”

Newcastle’s offer for Stoke City’s Joselu was only a fraction of what Stoke are looking for. They signed him two years ago from Hannover for £5.7M. They would like to recover that fee and then some.

Newcastle are also linked with Roma midfielder William Vainqueur. The player is surplus to requirements at Roma. He was signed from Dinamo Moscow two seasons ago and spent last year on loan to Marseille.

Tuesday

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ayoze Perez has demanded focus for the team as he admits it will be a difficult season. Newcastle opens their Premier League campaign on Sunday against Spurs who we beat 5-1 last time out. The 24-year-old Perez said,

“The real competition starts now and we know the importance of that. We have to balance about our feeling. Mentally, we have to be ready and focuses, because its not going to be an easy season, its going to be really tough and we have to make sure we do the right things as we have been.”

Yet another player has been linked to the toon. This time the player is former Bayern Munich Goalkeeper Lukas Raeder. The 23-year-old is currently a free agent after being released by Portugal side Vitoria Setubal. He went on trial for Southampton and they decided not to offer him a contract. Newcastle are hoping they can get this deal over the line.

Wednesday

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Aleksandar Mitrović says he’s done everything he can to have a successful season in the Premier League. Mitrović has had a successful preseason so far for the Magpies and there is thought that he may get the nod to start against Tottenham on Sunday. Mitrović is a fan favorite and many fans would be happy to see the Serbian international succeed. Mitrović said

“I try to do my best every game and to prepare my body for a long, long season in the Premier League. Its tough, but pre-season has to be hard and tough. This one is hard and tough. I try to do the best every training and every game and to prepare myself.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle are said to be in poll position to sign Lucas Perez from Arsenal. Many clubs have inquired about loan deals for the player, but manager Arsene Wenger insists that only a permanent move would happen. Rafa Benitez has publicly proclaimed his interest in the player.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman said that midfielder James McCarthy will be leaving Goodison Park this summer. McCarthy has been linked to Newcastle, and Rafa Benitez is interested in recruiting him. When McCarthy was left out of Everton’s last preseason match, Koeman had this to say

“Ross (Barkley) and James are back in training but they are still not available for the weekend. James still has some issues on his knee so out of protection I left him out.”

Thursday

Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Newcastle are thinking of making a shocking £17M bid for Arsenal striker Lucas Perez. Perez has had a nightmare at Arsenal and to add to the nightmare, Arsenal gave his #9 shirt to new signing Alexandre Lacazette. Perez has scored 8 goals and had 6 assists in 22 appearances last season.

Newcastle are also linked for Chelsea left winger Kenedy. The 21-year-old is mainly a left winger but can play as a wing back and left back. The player is said to be left out of Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s plans. He was sent home early from Chelsea’s Chinese preseason tour due to a disciplinary reason. It is said that Rafa is keen to bring the player in.

Friday

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Rafa Benitez fears that they will miss out on Lucas Perez as his heart is set on returning to his home in Spain. It is said he would love to return to Deportivo La Coruna. The issue here is that the club can not match the £13M valuation on the player. Arsenal did not even put Perez on the team photos.

Reports in Turkey claim that Chelsea will allow Kenedy to join a club of his choice on loan this year. It appears to be between Fenerbache and Newcastle for the player. Newcastle will have to speed up their recruitment in Kenedy if they want to sign him because the Turkish side want to move quick to get his signature.

Saturday

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Rafa Benitez admits hes frustrated but he is not looking to leave the club. The Spanish manager has not gotten what has been promised in the transfer window so far this summer but he insists that does not mean he is quitting the project. Rafa said,

“I don’t want to be egotistical, But I had two or three players who came here because of me. I can’t let them down. I decided to stay in the Championship – a massive risk, because I wanted to be in the Premier League at a massive club like this one and compete at the top of the table. But I don’t know if we can do that now. It’s a problem that team like Crystal Palace are spending more.”

Sunday

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Match Report

Newcastle – 0

Tottenham – 2

Alli (61’)

Davies (70’)

Newcastle

Team: Rob Elliot, Javier Manquillo, Florian Lejeune, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Jonjo Shelvey, Issac Hayden, Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Christian Atsu, Dwight Gayle

Subs Used: Jamaal Lascelles (7’), Chancel Mbemba (34’), Mikel Merino (76’)

Bookings: RED - Jonjo Shelvey (48’), YELLOW – Matt Ritchie (52’)

Tottenham

Team: Lloris, Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Sissoko, Alli, Eriksen, Kane

Subs Used: Son (58’), Wanyama (82’), Winks (90’)

Bookings: Kane (31’), Davies (86’)

Not the ideal way to start the season for Newcastle. Two early injuries and then Jonjo Shelvey’s selfish Red Card led to a 2-0 defeat in Newcastle’s first Premier League match.

The first half looked good for the Toon, they held their own and were dangerous on the counter attack. Dummett was subbed out in the 7^th minute due to a hamstring injury, and Florian Lejeune out in the 34^th minute for a vicious tackle by Harry Kane that was only awarded a yellow card.

Christian Atsu looked to be the brightest spot for Newcastle as he really attacked the Tottenham defense. However, not much could be salvaged after Shelvey deliberately stepped on the ankle of Deli Alli and was given a straight red.

Goals by Alli and Davies sealed the deal. Newcastle will travel to Huddersfield Town next Sunday August 20^th.

Premier League Table HERE