Newcastle United have not brought in all too many players so far this transfer and the combined transfer spend on these individuals is way below what their division rivals are spending.
This could either be seen as evidence the club is spending astutely, or that Mike Ashley is showing a lack of ambition in the transfer market. However, the quality of the four imports, for a combined total of just £7m, looks strong. For that kind of money in the modern market, you can not bring in a star player, but each signing looks to serve a purpose to improve the team.
The new goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is clearly Premier League quality as he proved last season whilst on loan at the club. Brazilian winger Kenedy also looks a smart addition, another to prove himself a solid player last season.
Ki Sung-yeung was part of a relegated Swansea City side last season, but the 29-year-old South Korean international is a proven Premier League player, and a technically gifted player to have in the middle of the park.
Fabian Schar is slightly more of an unknown quantity. The Swiss international has joined for £3m from Deportivo. Considering Jamaal Lascelles was in fantastic form last season, Newcastle United fans will be hoping the club has found the perfect centre-back partner for Lascelles.
However, Benitez will feel his success last season, guiding the side to a top-half finish, merited more spending from the club than £7m, a drop in the ocean compared to even the smaller clubs in the division.
With that in mind, here are two players Rafa Benitez will be fuming the club didn’t sign….
Rafa Benitez would have surely have wanted Newcastle to sign the Spanish left-back.
The full-back has joined Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth for £10.7m from Leganes. He is a ball-playing defender, who can contribute both in attacking and defensive situations.
Rico would surely have been an upgrade on Paul Dummett, undoubtedly the weak-link in the Newcastle United defence. Benitez will have been looking on enviously as Bournemouth completed the deal, wondering why the Magpies did not go all-in for the player.
Richarlison has joined Everton for what seems a highly inflated fee of £35m.
However, Rafa Benitez would love to work with a forward with the talents of the Brazilian. He was not in form in the second half of the season for Watford, but he showed what a skilful and dynamic player he was during the season. Aged just 21, Richarlison has serious potential.
Rafa Benitez will want a forward signed at St James Park, the club were very thin going forward last season. Signings like Josulu just didn’t work out.