Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly ready to let Vurnon Anita leave – and he did his chances of staying little help against Preston.
With Vurnon Anita starting 24 Championship games this season and filling in admirably at right-back when required, few expected Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez to deem him surplus to requirements.
As it stands, however, the Dutchman will be allowed to leave St James’ Park when his contract expires in the summer, The Chronicle reports.
Since arriving on Tyneside last spring, Benitez has sanctioned the exits of five of Newcastle’s longest serving players and it’s clear that he does not believe Anita can make the grade in the Premier League despite playing over 100 top flight games for Alan Pardew and Steve McClaren.
Yet, if his performance on Monday is anything to go by, perhaps Benitez is making the right decision.
Preston pummelling
It may have been a night of celebration at St James’ Park, a 4-1 hammering of Preston North End ensuring The Magpies will be back in the Premier League after just one season away, but the game itself was far from a joyous occasion for Anita.
The 28-year-old endured a torrid evening at right-back, with Preston’s pace on the counter leaving him for dead on countless occasions. Dynamic midfielder Daniel Johnson caused Anita no end of problems and, after bursting past him with an explosion of acceleration, should have fired past goalkeeper Rob Elliot.
Across 90 minutes, the three-time Dutch international managed just one interception and zero tackles.
And the sight of his versatile utility man toiling against a side ranked eleventh in the Championship table is unlikely to convince Benitez to change his mind.
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