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Roberto Martinez’s past comments on Newcastle United’s Christian Atsu

Roberto Martinez, manager of Belgium looks on from the stands prior to the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and O...
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Newcastle United are said to be strongly considering putting Roberto Martinez in charge to replace Rafael Benitez.

Thierry Henry and Roberto Martinez during a Belgium training session at the Belgian National Football Center on September 6, 2018 in Tubize, Belgium.

Roberto Martinez has already called Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu an ‘unusual’ player.

Martinez actually signed Newcastle winger Atsu earlier on in his career, when he was in charge at Everton.

The Spanish boss, who the Sun claim is Newcastle’s top choice to take over from Rafael Benitez, never actually managed to get the best out of Atsu.

However, Martinez is on record as being a fan of the Newcastle winger.

“He is a penetrating player, you want to see him involved with the ball, and, unusually for a winger his link-up play with his team-mates is very good,” Martinez said. “I saw good signs when he came through at Porto and now he is a young man with incredible experience after the World Cup.”

Atsu has already stated that he wants to stay with Newcastle this summer, so Martinez’s arrival could be good news for him.

Christian Atsu of Newcastle United (30)  controls the ball whilst being pursued by Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth (17) and Jefferson Lerma  (8) during the Premier League match between AFC...

The Ghanian international struggled for game time with the Magpies last term, with Benitez often overlooking him in favour of other options.

With Ayoze Perez set to leave Newcastle and Salomon Rondon’s loan expiring there could be gaps opening up in Newcastle’s team for next season though.

And Atsu may be hoping for a reunion with Martinez, as their familiarity with each other could boost his chances of starting.

Referee Kevin Friend talks with Christian Atsu of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on September 1, 2018 in...