Rafa Draws A Line

Last updated : 10 August 2018 By Footy Mad - Editor

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez drew a line under his summer transfer frustrations as he set his sights on Saturday's Premier League opener against Tottenham, live on Sky Sports.

The 58-year-old Spaniard, as so often in the past, found himself growing increasingly exasperated ahead of the deadline as owner Mike Ashley's promise that he could spend "every last penny" the club generated on strengthening his squad still left him searching for bargain basement signings.

In the event, the Magpies ended the summer with a net spend of around £20million, although Benitez was philosophical as he spoke to the media on Friday hours after it had been announced that Ashley's Sports Direct had agreed a £90m deal to buy ailing retail group House of Fraser.

He said: "I am really calm now because we have finished [the transfer window]. It is the time where you have to do exactly as we did last year, the fans behind the team, all together, the work rate and commitment.

"During the summer, you have to try to improve your squad as much as possible. As soon as you are finished, you have to concentrate on football.

"The fans will think, 'Rafa will be upset' or this or that, but this is not the time for that.

"We finished 10th last year. We have added some players - players we needed - and I think that is good and positive.

"Could it be better? You can always improve and be better, but I am pleased with the players that are here."

New signings Fabian Schar, Ki Sung-yueng, Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto could be added to a squad which this week finally settled a bonus row with the club and face a Tottenham side that has not been embellished at all during the close season.