The West Ham United manager delivered his verdict on Newcastle United’s transfer business this summer.
Rafa Benitez has been outspoken on his frustrations at his club’s failure to secure some of his primary transfer targets so far this summer, and tensions seem to be reaching unsustainably high levels at St James’ Park.
Two defeats in the Premier League, coupled with Newcastle’s loss to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup have certainly not helped matters, and Benitez takes his side into tomorrow’s home game against West Ham knowing that only a win will do.
And Bilic spoke to the media yesterday regarding his side’s chances against the Toon tomorrow, highlighting the Tyneside outfit’s struggles in the transfer market as something that he can relate to, as quoted by WHUFC.com:
“He is a big manager, he has done it in Spain, Valencia, then England with Liverpool and then Napoli. He’s a top manager. In this transfer window I don’t know exactly what has happened but I’ve followed who they have bought and sold and they’re not happy but they’ve spent more money than we have spent in this window. In terms of net money. OK, they came from the Championship and needed more players to strengthen but they’re a big club and I don’t see them as not ambitious. Maybe they were thinking too big and players didn’t want to come. They are an ambitious club. With Rafa, they are lifted up even more.”
The Croatian’s side are as much in need of all three points as Benitez’s men, with both clubs yet to get off the mark so far this season.
And if either side were to lose, the pressure would intensify to even higher levels, leaving either Bilic or Benitez under even more scrutiny.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
