The tragedy for Andros Townsend is that, if Rafa Benitez returns to the Premier League, Crystal Palace’s long-serving winger might not be sticking around to relish the reunion.
Townsend produced some of the best football of his lengthy Premier League career during a short-term loan spell under Benitez in 2015/16.
And the England international made no secret of his admiration for a coach who, with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Liverpool and Napoli adorning his CV, felt like a real ‘get’ for a Newcastle United side staring down the barrel of relegation.
“He’s one of the best managers in the world,” Townsend told the Guardian at the time, adding that he improved greatly as a player during just four months under the 2005 Champions League winner.
“If we can keep a manager of that calibre and keep doing the right things we’ll build.”
The admiration was mutual too.
Reflecting on Townsend’s brief but brilliant spell in black-and-white, Benitez spoke in glowing terms about the 29-year-old’s professionalism, admitting that he would have jumped at the chance to sign the Crystal Palace ace on a permanent deal (Chronicle).
So if Benitez takes over the Eagles following the departure of Roy Hodgson – and he may just do exactly that with the Record throwing the 61-year-old’s name into the Selhurst Park frame – could this be the lifeline Townsend needs as he looks to extend his stay in South London?
One of Palace’s longest-serving players is due to become a free agent on July 1.
While James McCarthy, Patrick Van Aanholt, Wayne Hennessey and Mamadou Sakho look destined to depart, Townsend may be praying for Benitez’s arrival as he looks to keep his Crystal Palace career alive.
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