The Moroccan has not played for Newcastle United in over a year but Rafa Benitez cannot rule out using him because of a ‘weak position’ in the squad.
Achraf Lazaar was supposed to have been a decent signing for Newcastle United after two years of regular football in Serie A with Palermo.
However, the Moroccan played just nine times in his first season at St James’ Park before an unsuccessful loan spell at Benevento last year that saw him out of the side by November and never returning.
Despite this, he was named in Newcastle’s 25-man squad for the upcoming season and manager Rafa Benitez has refused to rule out using the defender.
“He [Lazaar] will stay with the Under-23s – we’ll see how he gets on,” Benitez said, reports the Shields Gazette. “We cannot say ‘no’ and we cannot say ‘yes’; we have to see how he’s doing and then we decide.
“The reason we put him in the squad is because we know it’s a weak position and we have no back-up, so it’s just in case.”
This is a player Benitez allegedly did not want a year ago, who Serie A’s bottom side didn’t want after nine games, who Newcastle tried to move on again last month, and yet he may be appearing for the side as Paul Dummett is the only other recognised left-back.
Is there a better example of the restrictions Benitez is working under at Newcastle?
It remains to be seen if Lazaar will actually play in the black and white stripes this season but his potential involvement is certainly a surprising one.
There is a talented player there, however and, if push comes to shove, you can bet Benitez makes the most of his unwanted situation.
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