OPINION
Rafa Benitez must make the best use of his Chelsea ties to ensure a loan deal for England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek, instead of other linked players.
The Magpies have now been linked with a host of potential loan signings, as the Tyneside outfit are strapped for cash, but Benitez can only take one loan player from a Premier League club.
Kasey Palmer and Kenedy have also both been linked with a loan deal to St James Park, but this represents a wasted opportunity.
This new rule could be hindering for Newcastle, but Benitez must use this one slot and attempt to bring in Loftus-Cheek, who proved that he is a top-tier player last season at Crystal Palace.
The England international, currently on duty in Russia at the World Cup, surprised many last season with his consistent and dynamic playmaking ability, something that was not shown by Palmer or Kenedy as often.
Loftus-Cheek greatly helped Palace, and his play was integral to Roy Hodgson ensuring their Premier League survival, which Benitez must now look to ahead of next season.
Although the Magpies were comfortable in the sense of avoiding relegation last time out, there are little funds to improve the squad, and the Chelsea youngster will greatly improve Benitez’s chances of achieving the same feat.
Loftus-Cheek has shown that he is worthy of regular minutes in the Premier League, and he has also shown that he can be a difference maker in games, scoring twice as well as notching three assists.
The 22-year-old is Benitez’s premium option for a domestic loan player heading into the season, and he must move on the England international as soon as possible.