Newcastle United

Rafael Benitez: 'Newcastle United can be a top-10 team'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 11 May 2018

Benitez: 'Newcastle can be a top-10 team'

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez says that the Magpies have the potential to establish themselves as a top-10 club in the Premier League.

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has insisted that the Magpies have the potential to establish themselves as a top-10 club in the Premier League on a consistent basis.

Newcastle currently sit 10th in the Premier League table ahead of their final match of the 2017-18 campaign at home to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies can still finish as low as 15th, however, and Benitez has said that the club should be looking to become a regular in the top half of the league.

"I think it is clear that after staying up you have the potential to fight to be in the top ten," Benitez told reporters.

"When you talk about the top 10 people say: 'You are already in the top 10'. I don't know how we will finish but that is not the case. We are very close but there are several teams within a few points.

"When I say top 10 I mean with a guarantee that you will be there and you can challenge for something more important. That for me is the potential for this club."

Newcastle have won 11, drawn eight and lost 18 of their 37 Premier League matches this term.