With only three goals in 16 appearances for Newcastle this season, Mohamed Diamé hasn’t quite put in the performances many expected from him, and the player is fully aware of this.
Speaking to So Foot in France, the player also explained the switch from Hull City was an easy one to make, especially with all the problems the Premier League club were facing during the summer window.
According to the player, the prospect of playing under Rafa Benitez was a great pull for the forward, which is what the Newcastle board were hoping for when they appointed the Spaniard as their manager towards the end of last season.
Diamé said: “I’ve worked with Steve Bruce, Sam Allardyce, Roberto Martinez and now Rafa Benitez. He’s at the highest level. It really makes you want to learn and work hard. When you see the career he’s had, the great players he’s worked with and the clubs he’s managed, you know he’s someone who can bring you a lot on a daily basis. Therefore, we listen, we work, and we keep learning.”
While the former Liverpool manager was unable to save the now Championship side from relegation last season, Benitez is on course to automatically return the Geordie side to the Premier League, currently leading England’s second tier after 18 games.
Diamé and Benitez were, however, unable to help Newcastle reach the EFL Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night as they were knocked out by the Senegal international’s former team Hull City on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
