OPINION
Newcastle United made the loan market work wonders for themselves last January with the arrival of Kenedy, Martin Dubravka and Islam Slimani on temporary deals – so will Rafael Benitez be able to do the same in 2019?
Well, if the Spaniard does want some new players without having to splash the cash, he will have to be looking abroad with the Magpies already having used their two player loan allocation from English sides, Kenedy rejoining for the season and Salomon Rondon brought in to lead the line.
However, while the Venezuelan managed to find his way onto the score sheet against Watford on Saturday, Kenedy was a shock absence from the squad entirely, the Brazilian having failed to show any sort of good form recently.
With the Chelsea man taking up one of those two valuable loan places he cannot afford to be a passenger at St James’ Park, especially when there are some top quality talents likely to be available in January.
One man who appears to be in serious demand is Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke, the BBC reporting that a number of Premier League sides are chasing the striker’s signing after struggling for game time under Jurgen Klopp.
With Newcastle evidently lacking firepower up front behind Rondon, Benitez needs to axe Kenedy for good and make a move to rival their Premier League counterparts for the English hitman.
A very different striker to Rondon, he could cause havoc to defences if unleashed in the top flight and the two of them put together could be a potent partnership which fires the Magpies to success this season.
It means binning Kenedy but after his recent form, it would not be much of a loss at St James’ Park.