Close to a transfer to Genoa in the summer, Achraf Lazaar never got the exit from Newcastle he was desperately looking for, and the Moroccan defender remains at St James’ Park.
Unused by Rafa Benitez, the left-back isn’t exactly pleased with what’s happening to him, expressing himself in an interview on Wednesday with Calciomercato in Italy.
He said: “This isn’t a good period for me. Unfortunately, I arrived at Newcastle to show what I was worth, I wanted to up the challenge after my experience in Palermo, and prove to me and my family that I could go even higher, but that didn’t happen.
“Honestly, I’m very sorry about what’s happened, but I accept the situation with professionalism. I train and play with the reserves”.
With the second-team, the defender has been playing rather well, explaining he’s picked up three assists in the past two games, and while Rafa Benitez doesn’t seem to care too much about him, the other coaches do and help him a lot.
As for his relationship with the Spanish manager, Lazaar revealed it’s non-existent, to the point where teammates have to tell him how the former Liverpool coach is doing.
He said: “No, he hasn’t spoken to me. He speaks to my agent, Roberto de Fanti. Honestly, I arrived in Newcastle with different hopes, but the manager has his reasons for not playing me. I’ve done everything to convince him. I’ve never been in this situation before.”
The defender went on to explain that all he can do is train as best he can, and continue doing so until, maybe, one day, Benitez is forced to turn to him.
