Why A Reunion Between Fernando Torres And Rafa Benitez Would Be A Watershed Moment For Newcastle United

Why A Reunion Between Fernando Torres And Rafa Benitez Would Be A Watershed Moment For Newcastle United
17:55, 24 May 2018

Fernando Torres’ career has been tough to explain; captain of his boyhood club, Atletico Madrid, as a teenager, the man nicknamed ‘El Niño’ went on to become the best striker in the world, dominating the Premier League with Liverpool. But a series of injuries in the months after the 2010 World Cup took their toll, and he never fully recovered. At his best, nobody was feared more, but after a subsequent move to Chelsea and a return to Atleti via short stint at AC Milan, he has only been able to showcase his best form in glimpses; despite winning the Champions League, European Championships, World Cup and, just last week, the Europa League, his career still feels somewhat disappointing.

Atletico will always be his club; and he left the Wanda Metropolitano, having helped the transition into the new stadium from the Vicente Calderon last season, by scoring a brace in his final game against Eibar. Now, at 34, Torres is looking for one final move; Major League Soccer appears his most likely destination, Chicago Fire believe they may have the best chance of luring him to the United states, but Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez, who brought Torres to Liverpool in 2007 and helped him find some consistent form at Chelsea, has left the door open to working with him for a third time at St James’ Park, claiming a deal would be appealing. He did admit doubting whether the striker would be interested in a move to Tyneside, though.

Were Torres to sign for Newcastle, it would be the most significant deal done by the club in years, for many different reasons. Even though injuries and a lack of confidence may have stopped him fulfilling his true potential, his work ethic, relationship with Benitez and, most importantly, experience would have a profound impact on the squad as a whole. Creating chances was not an issue during their first season back in the Premier League, but Newcastle faced a constant battle of fending teams off having failed to make their domination count in games; Torres would surely make a difference in that regard, having scored over 200 goals since making his senior debut in 2001

Rather than the impact he would make on the pitch, though, it would be off it where he would signal a change. Benitez has found it tough to work with the Newcastle board because, while he identifies the players he wants, owner Mike Ashley and his right-hand man Lee Charnley hold a lot of power in rubberstamping deals. Under previous ownership, age and value were not as central to Newcastle’s approach in the transfer market, but Ashley has always restricted the club to signing younger, cheaper players who can increase in value, before being sold on. Benitez has struggled to force through a number of deals because they do not fit the Ashley mould, adding to his frustrations with the hierarchy and therefore speculation over his future. West Ham United’s flirtation with activating the £6million release clause in his contract before hiring Manuel Pellegrini may strengthen his hand in negotiations over an extension, but it also served to show Newcastle how delicate the situation surrounding him is.

Life without Benitez would be bleak; he has reportedly said he will stay again next season, which suggests progress may have been made in the discussions that have been going on since Newcastle secured Premier League safety last month, but anything beyond that requires Ashley relenting some of the power he still has in terms of footballing matters. Benitez continues to fight, not for himself, but for the club and the best way to take it forward; Torres would undoubtedly split opinion among the fanbase, his best years are behind him and many may think there are better options out there, but if he were to sign, it would be the clearest sign yet that Benitez is, finally, becoming the sole decision maker from a sporting point of view.

There have been a number of false dawns; his first summer in 2016, when £50million was spent on the players he wanted to spearhead the push for promotion from the Championship, and the departure of Graham Carr, chief scout the man Ashley entrusted in identifying players, the following year, to name just two. Current head of recruitment Steve Nickson works alongside Benitez; the manager has the final say on players in and out, but the tight restrictions, both in terms of budget and the type of signing made, have remained so far. It has been said before and it will be said until the situation is resolved, but Benitez is the most important person at Newcastle and backing him will only benefit everyone involved. This annual drama and brinkmanship between both parties is far from healthy and cannot carry on; if the choice is success and unity led by Benitez, or uncertainty and the worst backlash Ashley will have faced from the supports, then there really isn’t a discussion to be had.

Transfer talk is on hold; names linked have been few and far between. It is not yet clear how Newcastle plan to move forward, but Rafa Benitez would like to reunite with Fernando Torres again, and though he is well past his peak, signing him would almost certainly represent the necessary power shift that could see Newcastle take the next step forward.

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