OPINION
Another transfer window down for Newcastle United and despite having seven faces, both new and returning, through the door at St James’ Park, manager Rafael Benitez is still facing some serious issues in the first team squad.
The concerns over a lack of firepower up front appear to have been addressed, with Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto signed, the midfield was bolstered with Kenedy’s return and Ki Sung-Yeung’s arrival, and the back line saw Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez join up to play in front of Martin Dubravka.
Still, there is a significant lack of depth in the squad, and none more so than at left back.
Behind regular number one Paul Dummett, there is not a single senior player who naturally operates in the same role, and when the Welsh defender was injured on the opening day of last season, Javier Manquillo, a right back by trade, filled in, although was some way off the expected standards.
January saw no new left back, and neither has this summer, leaving Benitez in a tricky position in case of another injury, or suspension, blow to either Dummett or Manquillo – or worst case scenario, both.
If that were to happen then there is no clear replacement, and the only real option the Spanish boss has is to shoehorn creative force Kenedy into a sort of wing-back role – something no Newcastle fan wants to see.
The Brazilian is dazzling on the ball and lacks both the natural ability and desire to defend, but having played in a similar role at Chelsea, stunting his attacking threat to fill in a gap that quite frankly should never have been allowed to exist could be the best move for Rafa.
With no left back recruitment, it leaves the club on the brink of a potential first team crisis until January – and Kenedy’s creative skills are in the firing line if it does happen.