Why Christian Atsu Was Distinguished by Newcastle Director Rafa Benitez

Christian Atsu has improved his performances since the arrival of Miguel Almiron to Newcastle United – impressing the manager, Rafa Benitez.

The Ghanaian international winger was a regular starter throughout the months of December and January, during which time he played as before left in the 3-4-3 system set up by Benitez over the last few months. month.

But Almiron has replaced Atsu in the starting lineup since Paraguayan left Atlanta United for an initial £ 16 million in January.

And although the impact of Almiron on the Newcastle club was obvious – the Magpies offensively are a completely different proposition from the team that ran out in the first half of the campaign – Benitez thinks that the playmaker has also raised the standards of the rest of the population. team.

Atsu, Yoshinori Muto and Kenedy in particular acknowledged that they would only win a place if they really impressed at the training, given the shape of the attackers Almiron, Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon, affectionately nicknamed "The Three Amigos" by United. Fans.

"Obviously, when you see on the field, yes, but I want to pay homage to Atsu, Atsu was on the bench, but he was very good and gave a positive impact to the team," Benitez replied when he was asked if Almiron had helped to transform the US camp.

"But Atsu is different from Almiron; Almiron has more speed over long distances and he can do those sprints and sneak behind defenders to leave more room for others." I think that's a guy different player, but the understanding is pretty good between the three of them.

"Also, I think the team as a team is more solid, because if you go out Almiron and you put Muto, or you put Atsu, then the team was fine.

"I think now all players know what they have to do, and when you put players in different places, it does not make much difference because they all know what everyone needs to do."

In Saturday's 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium, Atsu signed for the last 18 minutes at Almiron's place, and it's the Ghanaian who really pushed United towards the front.

The 27-year-old played a crucial role in Newcastle's late rescue, and Benitez was excited by Atsu's reaction to the increased competition that Almiron's arrival had brought to the front line.

For Benitez, it is essential that he has options in every position, because he thinks that the intensification of the competition helps to improve the starting lineup, as well as the 18th day.

"It's one of the things I've already said: we have one or two players who sometimes are not even part of the team and they train very well, "added Benitez from Atsu.

"Bournemouth was an opportunity for Atsu and Muto to give us something, because we can see them in training, where they are very professional and work very hard.

"Sometimes you have to decide to exclude them from the team, and sometimes even from the team, but that's what you need to do, they're always ready, and when they come in, they're ready. "

"We need at least 18 players because when you play different competitions, the level of players is quite high and quite similar.

"You need them to compete, and that gives you more chances to be more consistent during the season."