Newcastle United signed former Liverpool and Sunderland loanee Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window.
The Premier League club signed Manquillo from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2017 for a transfer fee reported by The Sun to be worth £4.5 million.
The 23-year-old right-back’s performances for Liverpool and Sunderland during loan spells from Atletico were uninspiring, and many Newcastle fans were less than convinced with his signing, as reported by HITC Sport.
Newcastle manager Benitez has revealed that the former Spain Under-21 international was signed to gradually make appearances in the first team.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea manager has also stated that he knows why the right-back was criticised when he joined the Magpies.
“People were criticising Manquillo because he was coming from Sunderland and Liverpool and saying he had not done well,” Benitez told The Shields Gazette.
“But he was not coming to start the season, he was coming to stay on the bench and then, little by little, start playing more.”
“It’s a question of time that, over time, he will keep improving,” added Benitez. “I am happy with him and the other players who work very hard and want to improve, even if still they are not playing at the level that maybe they can play.”
Manquillo has started five Premier League matches for Newcastle so far this season, and there have been some encouraging signs.
True, the Spaniard did not make massive impact at Liverpool and Sunderland, but working with Benitez at St. James’ Park could make him the player that he could become, as there is no doubt that he is talented and has a lot of potential.
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