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Lee Ryder names key Rafa objective in Newcastle talks

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Newcastle Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder has said that Rafael Benitez wants to be able to “challenge the policy” at the club if he is to stay on and help the Magpies progress next season.

Benitez has been locked in further talks with Ashley over the weekend over whether he will stay on as the Magpies’ permanent boss from next season.

The futures of Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez are key sticking points in any deal being agreed, but speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Ryder said that to “challenge the policy” – by bringing in new players – will help the club achieve its ambition of progression.

“I think really for Newcastle now it’s a case of can Rafa Benitez accept the package they’ve put in front of him. Obviously, he’s got a few different ideas, he’s certainly trying to challenge the policy they’ve got at St James’ Park at the moment.

“But realistically, Newcastle fans they want to see the club kick on, they want to see them demonstrate the ambition that they’ve lacked in the past.

“Rafa certainly wants to kick on and try to challenge in the cups, try and finish in the top eight. That’s basically his attitude, that Newcastle have to show more ambition going forward.

“Maybe the delay on this is to see what can be bottomed out of the contract that Rafa Benitez is looking for.”

OPINION

If this report is true, it’s definitely what Newcastle need going forward. The Magpies, since returning to the Premier League under Benitez, have kicked on already massively in the league, achieving 10th place in the Premier League table in the 2017/18 before finishing with more points this time round. As Ryder points out, the cup competitions are where Newcastle will want to put some level of priority. The club have got a dreadful record in both the FA Cup and the League Cup, and aside from the league position, a cup run should be a real target for Newcastle next term. A top eight finish is also not beyond the realms of imagination. It would be tough, considering that Wolves, Watford, Leicester and West Ham have all significantly strengthened this season and look like they are going to kick on again next season, but there is no reason why – if Newcastle can keep hold of the likes of Rondon and Perez while bringing in new additions – the club cannot look to achieve that.

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