Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez should reward Dwight Gayle’s loyalty by replacing Joselu with him on Sunday.
Dwight Gayle has not started for Newcastle United since August and the 27-year-old should seriously consider his long-term future if manager Rafael Benitez does not bring him back into the first XI for Sunday’s visit of Liverpool.
Gayle, the subject of a £15 million bid by Fulham on deadline day, told Benitez that he wanted to stay at Newcastle and how he was determined to fight for his place, according to a report in The Chronicle on August 31.
And such commitment should be rewarded with a starting spot against the Reds; not strictly because he has earned it, but because he can’t be much worse than Joselu.
The Spanish striker, a £5 million signing from Stoke, has been missing chances at an alarming rate over the past couple of games, with his miss in the 1-0 defeat Brighton suggesting that he isn’t the ruthless, clincal hitman that the Magpies need.
With 15 goals in 69 Premier League outings, Gayle probably isn’t that man either, but he is hungry to prove a point to his manager and Benitez should let him prove it this weekend.
Continuing to snub Gayle in the hope that Joselu plays his way into form is a risky move.
Benitez isn’t flush with strikers, so keeping them happy and motivated is hugely important, but the former Liverpool boss would send the wrong message if he continues to reward failure and overlook the ex-Crystal Palace man’s commitment to the cause by staying.
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