Problems pile up for Newcastle ahead of Chelsea clash

All the talk about Newcastle at present surrounds their off the field problems, namely the lack of major transfers. We’re struggling this term, and we clearly need a few signings, yet so far, it’s all been quiet on that front.

Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t appear as though on the field matters are much better. Indeed, ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Chelsea, the problems are piling up for the club.

As per the Shields Gazette, Newcastle could only have two fit midfielders for the game against the Blues. Ki Sung-yeung, Kenedy, Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey are all either out of the game or a doubt for the fixture, and that leaves just Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff available for Benitez.

Clearly, especially given Chelsea’s strength, that’s just not good enough. It’s hard to see Hayden and Longstaff being able to compete with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, and that’s without considering the rest of the players available to Maurizio Sarri.

It’s tough to see us signing anyone ahead of the game, and so the reality for Rafael Benitez is that his options are going to be very limited indeed. We’re struggling to see any way around that.

It was hard to see this fixture being any harder for us, but now? It’s looking practically impossible. Maybe this will finally show to the Newcastle brass just how dire our situation is right now.

Thoughts?