Ever since Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007, he has always wanted to do things his own way.

Infamously changing the stadium’s name to The Sports Direct Arena, giving Joe Kinnear a role at the club not once, but twice – Ashley certainly isn’t afraid of going against the crowd.

The club’s transfer policy over the last couple of years is evidence of this. It has been heavily criticised by supporters of Newcastle United and the local media alike, yet Ashley has refused to change it.

He started running the club like it was a business, seeing players as investments who could earn him a profit in the future rather than players who could help take the club forward.

It all started in January of 2013, when Sissoko, Gouffran, Haidara, Debuchy, and Yanga-Mbiwa were signed to save the club from relegation.

From then on, the club’s signings predominantly came from France, as Ashley saw the French market as better value for money than the English market.

Graham Carr and his scouting team spent the majority of their time in French territory yet somehow missed out on the likes of Dimitri Payet, Riyad Mahrez, and Ngolo Kante.

The transfer policy would ensure a lack of leadership and very few players with experience of English football.

This all changed the day Rafa Benitez arrived on Tyneside.

When the Spaniard was appointed, he was given the title of manager rather than head coach.

Rafa would be handed full control of all football-related matters – something that had belonged to a man who knows very little about football in Lee Charnley – as well as complete control over recruitment.

This would surely signal the end of Newcastle’s much-maligned transfer policy; one that had been employed for three-and-a -half-years, and, in my opinion, three-and-a-half-years too long.

The signing of Jesús Gámez, a 31-year-old right back, is further evidence to back-up that claim.

The former Atletico man is someone who is capable of making an immediate impact – something many recent signings have been unable to do.

As well as getting a great player, the club have finally bought a leader. Having been the captain whilst he was at Malaga, Benitez could have just signed the player who will be given the armband for the Magpies’ opener at Craven Cottage.

His experience and leadership will be invaluable to this young and talented Newcastle squad.

Not only will we be welcoming Jesús Gámez this week, but we’ll also be welcoming in a new and improved approach to recruitment.