Newcastle United midfielder Nabil Bentaleb caught the attention of some Toon supporters after he posted a tweet following the Toon’s 0-0 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday evening.
Bentaleb, who joined the Toon on loan from Schalke until the end of the season back in January, played the full 90 minutes in Newcastle’s draw with the Seagulls. The Algerian made 32 accurate passes, three interceptions, and one successful tackle in Monday’s fixture, according to WhoScored. Only Newcastle United’s on-loan left-back Danny Rose made more accurate passes and interceptions than Bentaleb for the North East club in this game.
After the clash, Newcastle United have got just one game remaining in the 2019/20 Premier League season. The midfielder took to Twitter following Monday’s game to address the club’s supporters and look ahead to their next game against Liverpool. The 25-year-old said: ‘After a draw, one big game to go! Stay focused!’
After a draw, one big game to go ! Stay focused !#BRINEW #NUFC pic.twitter.com/V6sZjfeZDD
— Nabil Bentaleb (@nabilbentaleb42) July 20, 2020
Plenty of Newcastle supporters replied to this post and some of them were critical of Bentaleb, with a couple of Toon fans declaring that they don’t want the club to take up their option to sign the Algerian on a permanent deal following his loan spell. However, one Newcastle fan replied to this post to share that they believe that Bentaleb played well against Brighton.
I’d have made you all walk home from Brighton, absolutely shocking football, you should all take a long hard look at yourself’s
— G3ORDI3 (@RonnieUK2) July 21, 2020
Your last game for us in a Newcastle shirt against Liverpool.
— ??Paul Usher (@Paul_Usher1) July 21, 2020
Nabil… Them other players in orange are Newcastle players…. Would help massively if you could pass to them rather than the other colour….
— Ian McCartney (@beasty86) July 20, 2020
Is this bloke winding us up !!!
— Graeme Smith (@smithyg07) July 21, 2020
Please don’t sign mate.
— Bruceout (@Bruceout3) July 21, 2020
You played well today
— Calum Nicholls (@CalumNicholls) July 20, 2020
Newcastle United currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League table and ahead of their final game of the season, they could only possibly drop down one place, while it is impossible for them to finish any higher. With that knowledge, one Toon fan replied to Bentaleb’s tweet to question what he and the club need to ‘stay focused’ for.
Stay focused for what? We may as we loose 7 nil. It makes very little difference now https://t.co/1zVeR6yVPJ
— Neil (@johnneilbrown) July 21, 2020
Do you want to see Bentaleb at St. James' Park next season?
YES
NO
17 Newcastle players have earned a higher average overall rating than Bentaleb in the Premier League this season according to WhoScored, and with that in mind, it may be understandable why some Toon fans shared that they don’t want to see the £3.6m-rated midfielder move to the club on a permanent basis following his loan spell.