Former Newcastle defender Babayaro was full of praise when asked about Toon manager Rafa Benitez.
Former Newcastle United defender Celestine Babayaro has told Sky Sports that the reason for his old side’s successes during 2017-18 were down to Rafa Benitez’s prowess in the transfer market.
Benitez was left frustrated throughout last season’s transfer windows, with owner Mike Ashley keeping a tight stronghold on the Toon’s coffers. It left Benitez with little manoeuvrability when it came to buying players.
In January, the Spaniard missed out on three strikers in Nicolai Jorgensen and Daniel Sturridge due to a lack of funds given to him by Ashley. Instead, Benitez was tasked with keeping Newcastle afloat with the use of the loan market.
The Toon brought in Chelsea’s Kenedy, Sparta Prague’s Martin Dubravka and Leicester’s Islam Slimani and although the latter failed to click, Kenedy and Dubravka proved instrumental in the club’s tenth-placed finish.
Babayaro, who turned out for Newcastle for three years between 2005 and 2008, believes Benitez’s efforts in the transfer market helped keep the side in the Premier League and discussed the Spaniard’s future.
“Rafa is doing a great job here,” Babayaro said. “You can see what he has done in the loan market while others are spending millions. I just hope they will do everything possible to keep Rafa.
“If they let Rafa leave, I am not sure who they can get who will keep this team where they are at the minute without signing a lot of big-name players.”
Newcastle have once again been linked with numerous players, including permanent deals for both Dubravka and Kenedy. Benitez is likely to re-enter the market for a new striker.
It remains to be seen how much Benitez will be given to spend this summer, as he looks to guide Newcastle to a similar finish come this time next year.
Benitez has a year remaining on his contract at St. James’ Park, which the Chronicle claims is worth £4million a year – about £77,000 a week.
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