Andros Townsend Crystal Palace
Andros Townsend has confirmed Rafa Benitez twice tried to re-sign him at Newcastle United.
Andros Townsend said: “I spoke to the manager soon after he got the job. He told me he understood my situation and told me to be patient. Of course, I have a good relationship with Rafa so I remained patient, turned down other offers and thankfully we managed to get the deal done. Everton is a massive football club. I know Rafa. We worked together at Newcastle and we have been trying to link back up on a couple of occasions but it wasn’t to be. So when he called me with the backing of Everton football club, with big ambitions, as the old cliché goes it was a no-brainer.”
Townsend spent half a season at Newcastle in 2016, and despite the Magpies’ relegation, he impressed during his brief stay on Tyneside. The 30-year-old scored four goals and registered two assists and his performances, particularly after Benitez’s arrival in March that year, made him an instant fans’ favourite at St James’ Park. Speaking at his unveiling as an Everton player, Townsend has now confirmed that Benitez tried to re-sign him for the Magpies.
