Newcaslte United have clinched promotion to the Premier League and did not need to spend in January to do so.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley (R) in the stands with Managing Director Lee Charnley
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley came in for strong criticism earlier this year when he decided not to make transfer funds available.
SkySports reported at the time that manager Rafa Benitez was left ‘frustrated and disappointed’ by the lack of activity.
Yet Ashley’s gamble has paid off, and Newcastle are better for it.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
In refusing to make money available to spend in January, Ashley was making the point that this Newcastle side were more than good enough to clinch promotion without it.
They proved this right, even with missing top goalscorer Dwight Gayle for the past month, clinching promotion on Monday with two games to spare.
Now Newcastle are better off for it.
Mike Ashley
They are in the Premier League, and have should have increased funds to spend after saving all their money in January.
Big money fees received for Georginio Wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko last summer have provided plenty of cash, and the TV revenues they will receive next season in the Premier League will bolster that further.
With Ashley however, the most straightforward solution is not always the one which is taken, but he has a rare chance to finally get Newcastle right after a wayward decade.
He has the best man for the job in charge in Rafa Benitez, and he needs to back him to the hilt this summer and be prepared to spend big to sign the players his manager wants. After January, he owes him.
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