I knew they would turn shite into gold
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How Javier Manquillo transfer shows Rafa is in control of signings - even if it doesn't excite fans
Newcastle United's latest summer signing Javier Manquillo has struggled in England before, but Chris Waugh argues this is a significant acquisition
Javier Manquillo might represent just about the polar opposite of any dream signing
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fans may have been hoping for this summer, but his acquisition is significant nonetheless.
Not in terms of what the 23-year-old is likely to bring to the Magpies squad - the right-back has underwhelmed during two previous spells in England and will be looking to prove the doubters wrong immediately - but regarding the fact
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influence over recruitment has been well and truly reasserted.
Undoubtedly the Spaniard has been frustrated by the ponderous pace of Newcastle’s summer business so far and he would have liked to have seen progress long before the past fortnight.
But United are signing players identified by Benitez and his own scouting team themselves.
The club’s hierarchy tried - and ultimately, if perhaps inexcusably and inexplicably, failed - to sign Tammy Abraham, Willy Caballero and Ruben Semedo at Benitez’s behest.
Yet , Florian Lejeune, Jacob Murphy and Manquillo have all been Benitez requests too.