Matt Ritchie thinks he’s stunned Benitez and Howe as a wing back

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Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie has become a wing back this season.

Newcastle United ace Matt Ritchie has told The Chronicle that he thinks he’ll have surprised Rafael Benitez and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe with his defensive work.

The Magpies had mostly played a 4-2-3-1 setup under Rafael Benitez, but have switched to a 3-4-2-1 this season, allowing Miguel Almiron and Ayoze Perez to play off Salomon Rondon.

That has meant playing with wing backs, and whilst DeAndre Yedlin is a natural fit on the right, picking somebody on the left wasn’t quite so obvious.

Paul Dummett was one option, loanee Kenedy has played there for Chelsea, and January signing Antonio Barreca was brought in with the idea of playing that spot.

However, winger Ritchie has reinvented himself to play that role, switching from a right winger to a left wing back, impressing in his new position.

The 29-year-old’s work rate was always going to be important in that role, but he has also improved defensively – which he has now drawn attention to.

Ritchie thinks that Benitez as well as his former Bournemouth boss Howe would have never said he could defend, with his performances this term no doubt leaving them stunned.

Ritchie added that he now feels like he knows how to deal with the skilful wingers in the Premier League, and has really enjoyed his new role this season.

“I thoroughly enjoy the defensive side too. I’ve played against some very good wingers now,” said Ritchie. “I’ve learned on the job a bit defensively, and if you ask the gaffer here or Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, they’d probably never have said that I could defend.”

“I’ve always liked to press and enjoyed regaining the ball, but one-on-one defending has never really been part of my make-up. But I’ve really relished and enjoyed learning it, and I feel as though I’m accomplished now in that part of my game. I feel confident coming up against not only high-skilled players, but also fast players. I feel as though I know how to deal with it,” he added.