Nightmare never ending for speed machine at top of Benitez’s five worst signings at Newcastle

Thu 10 May 2018 16:02, UK

1. Achraf Lazaar

Achraf Lazaar of Newcastle looks on

Games for Newcastle: 10 – Goals: 0 – Assists: 0

An international speed machine who has the ability to play either as a winger or as a left back – sounds awfully like Newcastle’s January loan signing Kenedy, who had an exceptional campaign with the Magpies.

Unfortunately his predecessor did not enjoy the same fate as the Brazilian.

Lazaar was signed from Palermo for a fee of around just £2million – what might be considered a bargain considering the fees flying around nowadays.

This was no bargain.

He seriously struggled in his first season at St James’ Park, making nine appearances, just four of which came in the league, and after making one final appearance at the start of the 2017/18 campaign, found himself shipped out on loan to Italian side Benevento.

After a bright start in Serie A, injury struck, and the January transfer window made matters even worse for the 17 cap flyer, as he was completely left out of the squad for the second half of the season.

Exiled from both his parent and his loan club, Lazaar’s two years with the Magpies has been worse than a nightmare, and he will be glad to see the end of the season so he can get his career back on track.