Rolando Aarons is the most high-profile name left out of Newcastle United’s Premier League squad by Rafa Benitez.
The Spaniard named the 25 players he wants to field in the top flight, until January at the very least, and wideman Aarons was not named.
There was a surprise reprieve for another winger, though, as Achraf Lazaar got the nod. With Lazaar, Christian Atsu, Jacob Murphy, Matt Ritchie and Kenedy ahead of Aarons, he has not made the cut.
Perhaps Lazaar’s versatility gave him the edge over Aarons, as he is also capable of playing at full-back too.
Aarons spent a part of last season in Italy with Hellas Verona but a permanent move did not materalise this summer. That has left the pacy wideman in limbo; he must attempt to impress with the under-23s and force a move or get back into Benitez’s plans.
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Pardew was a fan
Benitez is not a fan, and Aarons was an outcast in the Championship also. Aarons’ exclusion isn’t a surprise; it’s a shock he didn’t leave in the summer.
His contract reportedly runs until 2021, which is a long time to see out. So, surely, Aarons will leave the club in January; he must attempt to rediscover the form that made him more popular with Alan Pardew.