Patrick Kluivert shared that he wished for Newcastle United to play a more attacking style against Wolves on Monday night but doubted they would.
The former Magpies forward seemed to take a dig at Rafa Benitez’s side over their playing style ahead of Newcastle United playing Wolves as he highlighted that they didn’t play attractive football when he last saw them against Tottenham.
Kluivert was directly asked whether he’d enjoy playing for the current Magpies team and seem to sidestep the question before pointing out he likes attacking football.
“I hope that they can play a little bit more offensively (against Wolves) I doubt it, I saw the game against Tottenham and it’s not attractive football, they play very defensively,” said Kluivert on Sky Sports News ahead of Monday Night Football (Monday February 11th, 17:24).
“Why you giving me this questions? (when asked if he would be keen to play for Benitez’s side) I like to play to in really offensive teams and this isn’t an offensive team.”
OPINION
Kluivert clearly loves the Magpies after spending time playing for them as he does try to laugh off his dig at them, but his remarks may not go down too well at St James Park. While Benitez’s style of play may not be pleasing on the eye sometimes, he is aiming to grind out the results needed to keep the Magpies in the Premier League. Many moaned about the Magpies manager setting his side up defensively earlier in the season against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, but it was a smart move by all accounts. For example look at how Chelsea, whose team are packed with top-quality players, fared against Man City on Sunday. The Blues were pummelled 6-0 by Man City due to playing such an open style of football and the result would no doubt have crushed their confidence. Benitez knows that suffering a 1-0 defeat is better than a demoralising 4 or 5-0 loss and he has protected his team as a result at times this season.