MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 18:55:10| >> :60:2436:2436:
[monks data]
Attendance: 40,491
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 22
Jan 12, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
Newcastle logo

2-1

Pedro (9'), Willian (57')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Clark (40')

Benitez determined to stay at Newcastle despite interest from elsewhere

Benitez determined to stay at Newcastle despite interest from elsewhere
© Reuters
The Newcastle boss has been hamstrung in the transfer market.

Rafael Benitez has revealed he has turned down approaches from other clubs in order to stay at Newcastle.

Benitez returns to former club Chelsea on Saturday with the Magpies, who are chasing their first Premier League win in five matches.

The Spaniard's squad has yet to be strengthened during the transfer window and as fans wait to learn of any progress with on going takeover talks, an air of despondency has descended on St James' Park.

"I had teams, agents, talking with more money than here," said Benitez, whose side have slipped to within two points of the drop zone.

"When I say more money, more money than here. But still I want to do something here, I want to stay in England.

"I'm close to my family, the fans have been fantastic, so you try to do something properly. It's a challenge, but it's a risk. Yes, it's a risk.

"But it's a challenge and I will try to do my best to win every single game."

Benitez called on Newcastle's fans, disillusioned with owner Mike Ashley's perceived indifference towards the club, to unite in support of the players.

The former Valencia and Liverpool boss insisted he did not share the fans' frustration over the lack of new signings, but could not help alluding to opportunities missed.

"I said before, I wanted to come to England, to stay close to my family and then this club was an opportunity, to be in one of the top 10." he said.

"You have the top six and then you could be there – between the seventh and the 10th. That was my view.

"We were trying. We couldn't save the team in the first year and then we won the Championship, so we said 'OK, now, is the time'.

"Then you say the first year is quite difficult, but we finished 10th, now is the time. Then it's the third year, and you try, you try, but... (sigh)."

Benitez said a top-six challenge was currently beyond the club, but insisted he was not being negative.

"The reality is that we have to compete in a division when we cannot compete against Bournemouth, who are spending money," he added.

"Forget about the top six, we have to compete against the others and we have to be realistic.

"That doesn't mean you are negative. Realistic, because you have the experience."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Mark Walker, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '56aaa7ba-78a0-44b8-803f-41413974f895');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Benitez determined to stay at Newcastle despite interest from elsewhere'});

ID:346593: cacheID:346593:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4759:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri expresses his frustration at being downed by Wolves on December 5, 2018
Read Next:
Sarri: Chelsea could beat England but are still a work in progress
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!