Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines for Tuesday, July 26.
Murphy trains with first team
Alex Murphy has been included in the travelling squad for Newcastle United’s trip to Portugal, where they’ll face Benfica at the Estadio de Luz on Tuesday evening. The 18-year-old is one of four youngsters that have joined up with the first team, with Jay Turner-Cooke, Santiago Munoz and Matt Bondswell also travelling to Portugal.
The teenager joined Newcastle from Galway United in May but only joined up with his new team earlier this month. Murphy made 32 appearances in the Irish second-tier, scoring two goals and providing four assists, and travelled with the U21s on a pre-season trip to Spain as they prevailed 2-1 over Elche.
Murphy also scored his first goal for Newcastle U21s in a 3-1 pre-season victory Blackburn Rovers on 20 July. The centre-back spoke to nufc.co.uk after scoring his maiden goal: “It’s always nice to score – hopefully I can get one in a competitive match next time rather than a friendly.”
Werner camp refuses to comment on Newcastle link
Timo Werner’s agency Sports 360 are refusing to comment on reports in Germany linking the Chelsea forward with Newcastle United. Werner’s wages of £272,000 per week do not fit in with Newcastle’s wage structure but nevertheless, his representatives are testing the water by offering him around a host of clubs in Europe.
Werner, who is on tour with Chelsea in the US, was asked about his future and replied: “I could be happy anywhere. I’m happy when I play and score goals. I should take care of that and the other things will come.”
Helder gives insight into Eusebio Cup final
Former Newcastle United star Helder is anticipating a tough game when his two former clubs go head-to-head in the Eusebio Cup tonight at the Estadio de Luz in Lisbon.
The ex-Benfica defender, who made 164 appearances for the Portuguese heavyweights, feels that Eddie Howe’s side will get the perfect test this evening. “Look, this is pre-season but it’s also a new Benfica side compared to the last three years,” Helder told Chronicle Live from Portugal.
“Benfica have changed coach with Roger Schmidt the German coach coming in. So they are at the beginning of a new start. They still like to press very high up the pitch and they like to overload opponents in the midfield area.”
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