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Isaac Hayden ‘This club needs to be in the Premier League next season’

8 years ago
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Rafa Benitez signing Isaac Hayden sees himself as primarily a central midfield player, despite often playing in the centre of defence as he came through the ranks at Arsenal.

Enjoying life under Rafa at Newcastle, Hayden says he can also play full-back, or indeed wherever else the manager wants him to play.

With the likes of Gayle and Gamez as well, Rafa Benitez has recruited players who can play in a number of positions and I’m sure we will see Newcastle veering away from the rigid kind of line-up and use of players in the same positions no matter what.

Personally, I don’t see Isaac Hayden as somebody who will play every match but that doesn’t necessarily make him any less important.

I think he will be used in various roles but make his main value will be regularly in away games, where I can see him being played to give extra strength to the middle of the pitch, as teams try to attack Newcastle.

With the likes of Tiote, Sissoko and Thauvin all set to follow the other eight senior players who have already left since the end of last season, it will be interesting to see where Rafa Benitez does recruit.

Left-back looks obvious and one or two more creative/goalscoring players look essential, with news earlier today of a £6m+ bid for winger Anthony Knockaert turned down by Brighton.

Isaac Hayden:

“He (Rafa Benitez) is very hands on and he loves to coach a lot, I have already learned a hell of a lot in the two weeks I’ve been here.

“For me it’s just about learning even more and trying to help the team as much as I can.

“Central midfield is where I see myself playing but as I have said before, I’m a versatile player and I can play full-back, centre-back, centre-midfield.

“So for me, whatever role the manager sees me in, is the role I will do, if I have to do a job at centre-back or if I have to play right-back, I will play anywhere.

“I want to help the club and I want to progress myself and my career – but the main thing for me is that this club needs to be in the Premier League next season so, if I can help the team in anyway, I will.”

“The main difference between this team and Hull City last year is that at Newcastle we pass the ball a lot better than we did at Hull.

“I think if we get the ball down and if we want to play football, one or two touches, if we play like we have been during pre-season and take it on a notch in terms of moving it a bit quicker in some certain areas, then I don’t think we’ll have any problems as there are some quality players here.”

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