Newcastle player makes startling admission despite still being on the books Current Newcastle Utd left-back Achraf Lazaar has let slip he regrets joining the Magpies, admitting that in hindsight, it “wasn’t the right choice.” The Morocco international, now 28, joined the side from the North East in 2016 on a five-year deal from Italian side Palermo. Despite becoming an estanblished starter in Serie A, the full-back was afforded little opportunity to impress in England, with then-manager Rafael Benitez affording Lazaar a mere four league outings in the Championship in his debut season. Upon gaining promotion back to the top flight, Lazaar made just one further appearance for the club in a League Cup clash in 2017-18. Since then, the left-back has been shipped out on loan to Benevento and Sheffield Wednesday, before arriving at Serie B side Cosenza – again on loan – in the current campaign. His time at Newcastle was an altogether forgettable one, but his latest comments will raise a few eyebrows. Speaking to noted Italian journalist Nicola Shira (via Sport Witness), Lazaar went on record with his thoughts about his time at St. James’ Park. He said: “In the summer of 2016, Fiorentina wanted me, but my dream as a kid was to play in England. “It was Rafa Benitez, who had arrived from Real Madrid. He really wanted me and his pressing convinced me. “There were great ambitions: there was talk of building a squad to win the Premier League in the space of a few years. “It’s too bad he played me very little. In hindsight, Newcastle wasn’t the right choice, unfortunately”. Meanwhile, in a TEAMtalk exclusive, it has been revealed that a host of European clubs have been in contact with Newcastle over the potential acquisition of rising star Matty Longstaff. The 19-year-old midfielder will be out of contract in June and, has thus far, failed to agree new terms with the Tyneside club, and he is now ready to walkaway from the club at the end of the season. Both Matty and his older brother Sean have been in talks with the club for some time with 22-year-old Sean having last summer found himself a target for Manchester United,. However, an agreement is yet to be reached with either player and Bruce has been anxiously awaiting a breakthrough. We understand that Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Club Brugge, Inter Milan and Atalanta have all made contact with the player, although it is believed up to a dozen European clubs have made approaches for the talented midfielder. Read the full story here. The post Newcastle player makes startling admission despite still being on the books appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Current Newcastle Utd left-back Achraf Lazaar has let slip he regrets joining the Magpies, admitting that in hindsight, it “wasn’t the right choice.”

The Morocco international, now 28, joined the side from the North East in 2016 on a five-year deal from Italian side Palermo.

Despite becoming an estanblished starter in Serie A, the full-back was afforded little opportunity to impress in England, with then-manager Rafael Benitez affording Lazaar a mere four league outings in the Championship in his debut season.

Upon gaining promotion back to the top flight, Lazaar made just one further appearance for the club in a League Cup clash in 2017-18.

Since then, the left-back has been shipped out on loan to Benevento and Sheffield Wednesday, before arriving at Serie B side Cosenza – again on loan – in the current campaign.

His time at Newcastle was an altogether forgettable one, but his latest comments will raise a few eyebrows.

Speaking to noted Italian journalist Nicola Shira (via Sport Witness), Lazaar went on record with his thoughts about his time at St. James’ Park.

He said: “In the summer of 2016, Fiorentina wanted me, but my dream as a kid was to play in England.

“It was Rafa Benitez, who had arrived from Real Madrid. He really wanted me and his pressing convinced me.

“There were great ambitions: there was talk of building a squad to win the Premier League in the space of a few years.

“It’s too bad he played me very little. In hindsight, Newcastle wasn’t the right choice, unfortunately”.

 

Meanwhile, in a TEAMtalk exclusive, it has been revealed that a host of European clubs have been in contact with Newcastle over the potential acquisition of rising star Matty Longstaff.

The 19-year-old midfielder will be out of contract in June and, has thus far, failed to agree new terms with the Tyneside club, and he is now ready to walkaway from the club at the end of the season.

Both Matty and his older brother Sean have been in talks with the club for some time with 22-year-old Sean having last summer found himself a target for Manchester United,.

However, an agreement is yet to be reached with either player and Bruce has been anxiously awaiting a breakthrough.

We understand that Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Club Brugge, Inter Milan and Atalanta have all made contact with the player, although it is believed up to a dozen European clubs have made approaches for the talented midfielder.

Read the full story here.

 

The post Newcastle player makes startling admission despite still being on the books appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Steve Pearson