Christian Atsu started for Newcastle United ahead of Matt Ritchie against Rotherham United.
Rafael Benitez has told the Shields Gazette that Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie is a great player.
Ritchie was left on the bench for Newcastle’s latest match, which came against Rotherham United.
In his absence, Christian Atsu was handed his first start – and Benitez’s decision was vindicated, as the Ghanian curled in the only goal in the game.
But Benitez insists that Ritchie still has a lot to offer Newcastle, and he was not taken out of the team because of poor form.
“We had to decide to leave Ritchie – who is a great player – and play Christian,” Benitez said.
“The staff realised it was the right time to play him against a full back, isolated one-v-one. It could be a good situation for us. In the end, it was a fantastic situation for us.”
Ritchie was only brought to Newcastle during the summer transfer window, but he has already made a big impact.
The Scotland international has caused Championship defences a great deal of problems, and already has a key role to play for Benitez’s side.
Ritchie did come on against Newcastle in the latter stages, and he helped them claim the three points.
Newcastle are now in third place in the Championship table, three points behind top of the table Huddersfield Town.
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