Stunning Florian Lejeune story reminds us just how clueless Steve Bruce was

Florian Lejeune | Credit: SmartFrame Images | Zuma Press Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune were two cracking Rafa Benitez signings for Newcastle United. Mike Ashley making life so difficult after promotion, refusing to honour promises made to Rafa that he would be properly supported in the transfer market. Working to a tight budget when returning to the top tier, we saw Joselu and others arrive at St James’ Park.

Rafa Benitez realising that with not having realistic funds, he had to make the Newcastle United defence key to his survival plan. So it came to pass that Rafa Benitez’ Newcastle United had the seventh best defensive record in each of his two Premier League seasons (2017/18 and 2018/19). Florian Lejeune proved to be a key figure across the two seasons in that excellent backline organised by Rafa Benitez, Fabian Schar the same when he arrived ahead of the second of those seasons.

The French defender actually had to recover from an injury only minutes into his debut, after a disgraceful challenge from Harry Kane left Florian Lejuene in agony. It should have been an automatic red card for Kane but of course he stayed on the pitch, whilst Lejeune didn’t. Anyway, Florian Lejeune eventually recovered and played a significant part in those two Rafa Premier League campaigns.

Mike Ashley then forced out Rafa Benitez and further tormented Newcastle United fans by bringing in Steve Bruce. If you ever wanted any specific proof of how clueless Steve Bruce was, look at his treatment of Fabian Schar and Florian Lejuene. Two excellent defenders and classy on the ball, yet Steve Bruce didn’t rate them.