Nightmare never ending for speed machine at top of Benitez's five worst signings at Newcastle
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It is often said that even the best among us get it wrong sometimes - even when you are a Champions League winning manager like Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard has a proud history of success throughout his career, with the likes of Liverpool, Napoli and Real Madrid all tasting an upturn in fortunes - even if those at the Bernabeu did not appreciate it.
Now at Newcastle, Benitez is working wonders, taking a side newly promoted from the Championship and with little financial backing from owner Mike Ashley, putting them on the brink of securing a top 10 finish in their first season back.
Much of this has been down to the recruitment carried out - picking up clever signings during his time at the club, such as Matt Ritchie, Mikel Merino and Kenedy, all of which have hit or exceeded expectations after arriving at St James' Park.
However, not every signing he has made such a positive impression on the Toon Army, and among the successes there have been some serious flops.
Here, Football Insider has picked out the five men who have failed to hit the mark after Benitez entrusted them with their signings, including one speed machine whose nightmare is never ending.
Click below to check out the list, starting with a man who made an impact for all the wrong reasons...
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5. Islam Slimani
Games for Newcastle: 4 - Goals: 0 - Assists: 1
Kicking off the list is the man who was supposed to fire Newcastle to Premier League safety after joining on loan from Leicester City in January 2018.
Unfortunately for the Magpies, everything that could have gone wrong, did.
An injury picked up with the Foxes in training left him missing the first couple of matches and another setback meant he was on the sidelines for nearly two months after joining.
The Algerian finally managed to appear from the bench with seven games left to play, and actually impressed, leaving the Toon Army hopeful he could have a big role in their final matches.
Three outings later, just one in the starting XI, and his season was over, suspended for a petulant kick in a defeat to West Brom.
Would rank higher up the list were it not for the saving grace it was just a loan spell.
Click below for number four on the list - a man who fans likely forget is still in the senior squad...
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4. Jesus Gamez
Games for Newcastle: 10 - Goals: 0 - Assists: 0
A versatile full back signed from Atletico Madrid on a free transfer, Gamez looked to bring the experience from his time in Spain and put it to use in England.
Unfortunately he was too busy in the physio's room to have any impact out on the pitch.
Injuries have decimated his time on Tyneside, limiting him to just 10 appearances across two seasons, which include a full 90 minute run out in the win over Swansea City in September 2017 - the unparalleled highlight of his career at Newcastle.
Set to depart at the end of the 2017/18 season as his contract runs out, he will quickly be forgotten by the Toon Army - if they even remember he is still at the club.
Click below for number three on the list - a man the Newcastle faithful hate to see...
3. Joselu
Games for Newcastle: 31 - Goals: 4 - Assists: 1
If ever there was a reason why Newcastle United fans want to get Mike Ashley out of their club, then Joselu is that man.
The Spanish forward was brought in from Stoke City for a fee of around £5million as Benitez scoured the very depths of the bargain barrel in the transfer market, desperate to bring in a new striker.
Starting as the number one option up top, there can be no doubting his hard work, but fans would forgive him for being lazy if he could just put the ball in the back of the net.
He simply has not proven to have anywhere near the quality the Magpies desire and quickly found himself usurped by Dwight Gayle in the starting XI.
The result of utter desperation - not a pretty sight.
Click below for number two on the list - a man who fans never want to see again...
2. Matz Sels
Games for Newcastle: 14 - Goals conceded: 13 - Clean sheets: 5
Signed by Benitez heading into the Championship season, Sels was a goalkeeper who had acted as backup to the likes of Simon Mignolet and Thibaut Courtois for the Belgian national side.
Newcastle fans will still be scratching their heads today over how he managed to find his way there.
Chosen as the number one shot stopper, he managed to last nine nervy league games before Benitez dropped the axe and replaced him with Karl Darlow, although the Belgian did manage to feature in the cup competitions.
Sent on loan to Anderlecht for the entirety of the 2017/18 season, Newcastle fans will be hoping never to see the goalkeeper again - and for those wondering why he finds himself in second place, the £6.5million fee says it all.
Click below for the number one worst signing Benitez has ever made - a man whose nightmare never ends.
1. Achraf Lazaar
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.
In other Newcastle United news, one man's career at Newcastle is as good as dead after a shock against Tottenham.