Benitez’s Newcastle have been completely lacklustre this season.
Alan Pardew has told Sky Sports that Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United desperately need additions in January, and told the Toon’s Spanish boss how to get money out of owner Mike Ashley.
Benitez’s tenure at St. James’ Park has been marred by Ashley’s lack of investment in his side, with the former Real Madrid and Liverpool manager crying out for more funds.
Ashley informed Benitez in the summer he could spend what the club generates, but Newcastle still spent far less than they raked in on player sales. Indeed, Ashley’s tight stronghold on the purse strings has backfired.
Newcastle sit at rock bottom of the Premier League after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Brighton at home, and Pardew believes they must spend in January – giving Benitez advice on how to tempt Ashley into spending.
“That’s something they have to work out,” Pardew said. “We got to a situation in maybe my third season at Newcastle where we really needed help in January. I said to Mike ‘I think we’re in big danger here’ and he came to the fore.
“We signed four or five players and it transformed our season. I think Rafa is going to be in that position, the way it looks at the moment, that he is going to need an influx of new blood into that team.
“I think in January, Mike will have to have a long sit down with Rafa and come up with a plan.”
Newcastle did bring in quite a few players in the summer, landing Martin Dubravka on a permanent basis, re-signing Kenedy on loan, Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez, Ki Sung-yueng, Yoshinori Muto and Salomon Rondon.
However, they have failed to provide the difference with relegation to the Championship a real possibility just two seasons after Benitez guided the Toon back to the Premier League.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
