Aleksandar Mitrovic has been on fire since joining Fulham on loan, but that does not mean Newcastle made a mistake by letting him go.
The Serbian added another two goals to his tally on Tuesday night, bagging a brace in the Cottagers 3-0 victory over Sheffield United, making it five goals in four games since moving to Craven Cottage.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are still struggling near the bottom of the Premier League, with the man who was brought in to score the goals needed, Islam Slimani, not playing a minute of football since arriving.
Dwight Gayle did get back on the score sheet with a brace against Bournemouth, but no Newcastle striker is performing as well as Mitrovic right now.
However, that does not mean Benitez was wrong to let the 23-year-old leave on loan.
During his time at Newcastle, Mitrovic talked a good game and flapped his arms, but rarely did the business on the pitch, going on to blame Benitez’s tactical style for his failures whilst wearing black and white.
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Playing for free-flowing Fulham is certainly getting the best out of Mitrovic, but that is just not the way Newcastle go about their business under Benitez.
Now that Mitrovic is playing for the most attacking side in the second tier of English football, he has found his goal-scoring groove, but that does not mean he would be able to replicate that form at St James’ Park.
The Magpies are defensive for a reason this season, and in the Championship they were pragmatic, getting the results they needed to gain promotion.
It is great to see Mitrovic playing well and getting back amongst the goals, but that still does not mean he could do in the Premier League for Newcastle.