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Newcastle United: Three players with something to prove this preseason

By Durim Halimi

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United looks dejected during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on March 3, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United looks dejected during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on March 3, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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Preseason has officially begun for Newcastle United and a few players will have to prove themselves to Rafa Benitez.

The Magpies are set to play their first friendly match on Tuesday as they take on St. Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland. Several players will get playing time as Rafa Benitez will look to analyze his entire roster.

For some players, preseason is utilized to prepare their fitness levels and maintain team chemistry. For others, preseason will transform into a short audition that will determine their role and playing time on the team.

Benitez will be a busy man over the next few weeks as he will focus on his club’s preseason form and will keep a close eye on the transfer market. Despite all these duties, Benitez will be keen to see how three players, in particular, will perform this preseason.

Jacob Murphy

Jacob Murphy will certainly receive some attention from Benitez and the coaching staff this preseason. The 23-year-old winger came to Newcastle from Norwich City last summer and he made 25 appearances for the Magpies last season.

Murphy’s overall form in the 2017-18 campaign can be described as mediocre. He showed flashes of great potential and is one of the fastest wingers in the top flight. However, Murphy did not play with sufficient urgency and was hesitant to call for the ball, which is why he fell down the pecking order on the wing.

If the speedy winger wishes to earn more playing time for Newcastle, he must become more vocal this preseason. Moreover, Murphy must improve his movement off the ball so he becomes a passing target to get more touches per match. For now, his main competition on the wing will be Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie.

Joselu

Joselu will feel the pressure to perform and redeem himself in these upcoming preseason friendlies. Benitez provided Joselu with several opportunities to show that he can be an effective striker, but Joselu only scored four goals in 30 matches.

With Dwight Gayle also struggling last season and no new striker arriving on Tyneside thus far this summer, Joselu will have to improve. The Chronicle reported that Joselu has been working with a personal trainer and this dedication to improve his form is a great sign.

Joselu only scored four times, but he came close to scoring in several matches and could have potentially scored nine or ten goals. With that being said, Joselu should aim to score a few goals in these friendly matches.

Mohamed Diame

Last, but not least, is Mohamed Diame. Based on his stellar form last season, Diame does not necessarily have to prove himself to Benitez. Instead, Diame must prove that he is worthy of being a starter rather than a primary substitute of the bench.

Benitez was happy to confirm the arrival of Ki Sung-yueng two weeks ago. Ki’s arrival does not guarantee him a starting job, but his presence will surely reduce Diame’s impact on the team. All in all, Diame’s form this preseason will determine who Shelvey’s partner will be in the middle.