---
title: "Benitez heaps praise on Dummett – is he underrated?"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2019/08/30/benitez-heaps-praise-on-dummett-is-he-underrated/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-08-30T06:00:15Z"
modified: "2019-08-30T06:00:15Z"
---

# Benitez heaps praise on Dummett – is he underrated?

Former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has heaped praise on defender Paul Dummett this week.

The Spaniard has said that he is underappreciated by the media and that he is always consistent at the back.

[Speaking in his Q&A on The Athletic](https://theathletic.co.uk/1168187/2019/08/28/rafa-benitez-qa-liverpool-2005-v-2019-players-ive-coveted-celtic-rumours-a-premier-league-return/), Benitez said this about the most underrated player he has worked with:

> Paul Dummett at Newcastle. He is very consistent and is very clever in a tactical way. He can help the players around him and the fans do not always notice that.

![Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2019/08/1167358541.jpg)

### READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT

If Dummett continues to perform at the level he did against Tottenham last weekend, he will start to receive the recognition he deserves.

He picked up the official Premier League Man of the Match award and was praised by pundits for his display. If this becomes a regular occurrence, the wider footballing media in England are sure to pick up on his ability.

The centre-back, who formerly played as a left-back, has arguably been Newcastle’s best player this season and could be key to Steve Bruce’s side avoiding relegation back down to the Championship.