Rafa Benitez exposes Mike Ashley - Proof that the NUFC owner has lied all summer long

Rafa Benitez has admitted that he was 'expecting something different' when asked about the club's summer business so far - proving the Mike Ashley's end of season statement was filled with lies and empty promises once again.

Benitez was told just a few months ago that he would receive 'every penny' generated by the club, yet here we are having spent just £4m so far this summer.

Just EIGHT weeks ago Ashley said Rafa had his 'full support' - a statement that just highlights the severity of his lies given the total lack of support or signings that have been offered ever since.

Here is the statement Mike Ashley made following our final day win over Chelsea back in the middle of May, followed by what Benitez has had to say 8 weeks on from his big post-season promise:

Mike Ashley (May 2018)

"Rafa, as always, has my full support, and contrary to some media reports that portray me as a pantomime villain, I will continue to ensure that every penny generated by the club is available to him.

“I hope very much that Rafa will remain at Newcastle United."

Here's what Benitez has said this week when asked about the backing he's actually received this summer:

Rafa Benitez (July, 2018)

 “I was expecting something different.

"People have to realise we’re not signing the first [choice] on our list. Or the second. Or the third.”

Benitez has turned down the Spanish managers job, refused to take a holiday and instead worked away all summer on transfers, yet here we are with less than three weeks remaining having signed not ONE player who'll improve our first-team from last season.

Instead, Rafa's now being forced to do EXACTLY what he had to last summer, scraping through the bargain barrel for any half decent signing he can get his hands on. He wanted change, or at least progression, yet the same mistakes are being made once again and, if anything, the level of investment seems even lower.

Where's the £123m made by the club last season? The £50 instalment that's arrived from the Premier League this month? The £10m received for Mikel Merino?

No wonder Benitez refuses to accept Ashley's words when he's not even backed up a statement he made just over eight weeks ago.

There's a clear stand off, with Ashley only willing to 'release funds' if Benitez signs and Benitez only willing to sign if Ashley shows ambition, but why on earth would Rafa believe he'd do that?

Ashley can not be trusted or second guessed and Benitez's latest comments only help expose what a liar he really is - especially when you put alongside Ashley's most recent statement.