Rafa Benitez Admits He Remains in Contact With Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum

​Rafa Benitez has admitted that he is still in contact with former Newcastle United duo, and Champions League finalists, Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum.

The two were both relegated from the Premier League with the Toon Army back in 2016 but are now facing the prospect of lining up against each other in the Champions League final for Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool respectively in Madrid. 

Georginio Wijnaldum,Aleksandar Mitrovic,Moussa Sissoko

Both Sissoko and ​Wijnaldum were sold following relegation to the Championship, and despite failing to hit the same heights as they have now whilst up in the north East, Benitez has revealed that he always had the belief that both would succeed. 


As quoted by ​The Shields Gazette, the Newcastle manager said: "The fans, they know that they are both good players. It depends on the environment. It depends on the moment. It depends on the situation of each player.


"You can't blame anyone – you can't blame the club, you can't blame me. You can't blame anyone. They wanted to go because they had offers, good offers, and they wanted to stay in the Premier League."

The former Liverpool boss went on to explain that he is still in contact with both as they were always good professionals under his management.

"I'm still in contact with him [Sissoko] and Gini, they were good players for us, but we were relegated and they had offers" Benitez added.

"Sometimes players don't get offers when they are relegated. They did and I'm telling you Sissoko had three very good ones, including one very important one.

"That is good for them because you go down and have top sides interested in you. Maybe they were not fine here, because the team was not doing well. But they have the skill and the pace.

"You cannot complain or say anything negative about what they did here."

John Anderson in his Newcastle United playing days (Getty).

Now a veteran in his role, Benitez certainly knows what it takes to win a Champions League after his triumph with ​Liverpool in 2005, and one of his former Magpies will also be able to share that honour come Saturday evening.


Source : 90min