OPINION
Rafa Benitez must hand Newcastle United Issac Hayden a lifeline to save his Magpies career by playing the midfielder against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The 23-year-old midfield enforcer opened up in a recent interview about how he would have liked to have started more games this season, and suggested that he would like to feature in the games that remain.
“Obviously I would have liked more of them to be starts, but the team’s been doing really well in 2018 so I’ve had to be quite patient, keep working hard and try to get as many opportunities as I can,” said Hayden, as quoted by the club’s official site.
“But I’ve still played my part in some matches and hopefully I can add to those 25 appearances before the season’s out.
“And if you do get the opportunity to play – whether it be five minutes, ten minutes, you have to make sure that you help the team in the best way possible, which I’ve done so far – and long may that continue.”
Hayden has said all the right things in his recent interview and seems to determined to prove himself at the club, so Benitez should unleash this enthusiastic player with a point to prove on Saturday.
The Spanish manager should opt to do this, even though the 23-year-old has proven to be a liability with his past performances this season.
Benitez regularly called upon Hayden to run his midfield at the start of the current campaign with the midfielder appearing in all of the Magpies’ opening 12 league games.
However the 23-year-old did nothing but put in woeful displays, carelessly gave the ball away and was just a constant liability as his side tried to pick up vital points.
This is stunning contrast to Mohamed Diame’s performances this season, as once the midfielder replaced Hayden in the team on a regular basis, the 30-year-old ensured his side earned important wins.
Benitez will no doubt have to sell players in the summer window and as it stands, Hayden clearly has his head on the chopping block.
Therefore the Spanish manager must afford to play him against WBA after his plea for opportunities, as Benitez has to ensure the club makes the right decision if they opt to get rid of the 23-year-old in the summer.