OPINION
The actions of Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley over the past two years have forced manager Rafa Benitez to adapt his recruitment policy drastically.
Due to a lack of financial backing, Benitez has consistently looked to the loan market for quick fixes to the Magpies’ personnel needs.
One of the players he has brought in on a temporary deal is Chelsea wide man Kenedy, who initially joined the club in January before a further loan was agreed for the entirety of the 2018/19 season.
The 22-year-old Brazilian was instrumental in helping the Magpies avoid relegation last season, and while he has not started this season as well, it is safe to say he is a player who the Toon Army would love to see at St. James’ Park for years to come.
Unfortunately for them that is highly unlikely to happen, with Kenedy openly admitting that he sees his future at Chelsea as he eyes up winning trophies with the Blues.
Speaking to UOL, he said: “It was nice to be on loan for more playing time, better than staying in Chelsea and not playing. I have the dream to return (to Chelsea) and to be able to be champion for the club.
“Just being in the Premier League is a great achievement, there are a lot of people that come and can not play, and for me it’s very good and my dream is to win a big title.”
It is hardly surprising to hear that Kenedy would like to return to Chelsea in the future and attempt to win titles with the club, and this worrying admission merely serves to illustrate how startlingly unsustainable Newcastle’s current recruitment policy is.
When you bring in a loan player, the likelihood is that they will be coming in from a bigger team. As with Kenedy, the likelihood is then that they will be eyeing up a return to their parent club.
It will therefore be rare that Newcastle will be able to convert such loan deals into permanent transfers, and they will be constantly searching for new players to replace those who have returned to their parent clubs.
Such a system is highly unsustainable, and it could seriously damage the Magpies’ prospects of remaining in the Premier League.
Benitez has reportedly begun making enquiries over overseas loans for January, according to the Chronicle, illustrating that this system is going nowhere fast.
If it wasn’t already clear, Mike Ashley must allow Benitez to bring in the players he wants on permanent deals, or Newcastle will find themselves in a perpetual state of flux and in constant danger of the drop.