Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic has been sent out on loan to Fulham.
Newcastle fans have been left frustrated by Benitez’s decision to continuously overlook Mitrovic in favour of the likes of Gayle, Joselu and Ayoze Perez.
The Serbian striker, who joined Newcastle for £13 million from Anderlecht, is now out on loan at Fulham, where he has made a positive impression.
But Benitez’s decision appears to stem from Mitrovic just not being able to fit into his system at Newcastle.
Benitez has stressed the importance of working hard to defend from the front, which is a quality he believes Gayle brings to the side.
“It’s important for the strikers to score goals, but at the same time when the team doesn’t get much possession like us in the Premier League, they have to help the team defend too,” Benitez said.
“They have to help the team with their movements.
“Sometimes the striker’s movements create space for other players.
“That’s what we have at the moment, players working very hard for the team and you don’t see them on the score-sheet sometimes but that doesn’t mean they aren’t doing a great job for the team.”
Gayle’s nippy and agile movements do indeed help create spaces for teammates, and he is also a tireless runner.
Gayle has no qualms about pressing opposition defenders, and never gives them a moments peace.
Mitrovic, on the other hand, has more difficulties getting around the pitch.
For all his qualities, Mitrovic is not the most mobile of forwards. And while he remains a talent, Newcastle fans will be best off forgetting about the Serbian international, as he simply doesn’t have what it takes to fit in with Benitez’s side.
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