Chris Waugh’s column on how the money from TV is effecting football - and not just in the Premier League.
During the summer, the agents of potential signings were attempting to extract as much as possible from Newcastle United.
A couple of players, citing rival Premier League interest as justification, demanded more than £80,000 a week to run out for the Magpies in the Championship.
If that figure doesn’t emphasise just how significantly Premier League riches have forced the game to spiral horribly out of control, I honestly do not know what will.
Captain Lascelles should, in theory, be the first name on the teamsheet but even he has found himself dropped on occasion so far this season due to Benitez’s ruthlessness.
However, both Lascelles and Mbemba appear to be Benitez’s first-choice centre-back pairing given the fact both are solid, while the latter is also comfortable on the ball.
Clark and Hanley were both recruited this summer to give added bulk to the defence. Hanley in particular is experienced in the Championship and is very good in the air.
In addition, Dummett and Gamez can also play centre-back - it is even thought the former is viewed as such long term by Newcastle - while Hayden has also filled in there for Hull City in the past.
Over on the other side of defence, Chris reckons Newcastle have even more choices on offer:
Let’s be honest, Aarons is not someone Benitez is ever likely to field at left-back - but the fact the winger has been an emergency option there means he gets a mention.
As far as orthodox left-backs go, Dummett’s solid and steady performances mean he currently occupies the shirt, but new Moroccan signing Lazaar is a more attacking option, and Haidara is also approaching full fitness once more.
What’s more, Clark and Anita have also occupied the position during Benitez’s reign - with the former adding additional height and power to the back four - while Mbemba and Lascelles can cover in there too.
In theory, United only have two ‘out-and-out’ right-backs in their squad - but Benitez has at least five players who can play there.
For a start Anita is someone who has regularly filled in their under Benitez, and the Dutchman is one of the Newcastle boss’ favourite players.
Yedlin, recently signed from Tottenham Hotspur, is the best attacking option at right-back - though question marks remain over his defensive capabilities - while Gamez offers experience and a more-rounded game.
What’s more, Mbemba and Hayden have also played at right-back before, so both could be used there should an injury crisis arise.
Matz Sels earned his summer transfer to “ambitious” Newcastle United due to his consistent performances over recent years, believes his former manager.
I’ve had a quick trawl through Twitter looking at the reactions to the news of Elliot’s new contract, and the consensus so far seems to be that he thoroughly deserves it:
Great news for a top bloke looking forward to @the_dilsh returning back to the team #NUFC https://t.co/oNPE2xtFgd
Elliot, who joined Newcastle from Charlton Athletic five years ago, said:
“I’m delighted. Personally, I had a good run in the team last year but I was obviously gutted at the end with the injury so it’s a real confidence-booster that the Club have put their faith in me.
“It’s helped my rehab as well, because it’s something to work towards, and it ties everything up perfectly now so I can look forward to the future, commit to getting back fit and hopefully getting us back to where we want to be.”
Starting off our look at the options available to Rafa, is Chris’s — and how times have changed.
Goalkeepers Matz Sels, Paul Woolston and Karl Darlow
Options: Matz Sels, Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot, Freddie Woodman
With Tim Krul on loan at Ajax for the season, Benitez has just the four goalkeepers to choose from...
United have strength throughout their squad but, if anything, it is in goal where the Magpies really do have an embarrassment of riches.
Sels started the season in shaky fashion but has improved game by game and has recorded back-to-back clean sheets, while Darlow has been waiting impatiently in the wings for his opportunity
Rafa Benitez insisted that he needed a squad capable of surviving a gruelling 46-game Championship campaign, as well as the two cup competitions - and that is something he now most certainly has.
Newcastle new boys Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden, and former United players Gini Wijnaldum, Daryl Jamaat and Papiss Cisse
Who’s got a Fantasy Football team this year? Our Data Unit have had a look at some of the Premier League new boys and assessed whether they would make good signings for your team. Here are the six they picked.
Please visit http://www.trinitymirrorne.co.uk for the latest information about our audience, advertising solutions and rates. Alternatively please contact
Darren was appointed editor of the Chronicle in September 2011, following a six-year spell as editor of the Evening Gazette in Teesside.
He has held a number of senior roles on regional newspapers across England, Scotland and Wales over the last 15 years and is now editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror North East.
Newcastle United 2-0 Brighton match report: Magpies coast to a great win over the Seagulls
Newcastle 2-0 Cheltenham match report: Ayoze Perez at the double for patched up Magpies
Bristol City 0-1 Newcastle match report: United dig deep to finally win away
Newcastle 4-1 Reading match report: United are up and running - and in some style
Newcastle 1-2 Huddersfield match report: Newcastle booed off after home horror show