Chelsea players recommended Newcastle to loan signing
Christian Atsu says his Chelsea team-mates recommended a move to Newcastle United '“ because of the quality of Rafa Benitez's squad.
The winger, likely to feature in tonight's EFL Cup tie against Preston North End, joined the club on a season-long loan in August.
Atsu was quickly sold on a move to St James's Park after Benitez got in touch.
And the 24-year-old said: "When I came, I knew Matt Ritchie was here – I played with him at Bournemouth.
"Some of the Chelsea players spoke highly of some of the players here too, and when I came here I saw that they are very nice people. It was easy for me to settle in.
"You can see that even though we are playing in the Championship, Newcastle is a big club.
"You can see that they have a vision. Rafa stayed because he had a vision – he believed the team can go up, and this is what I also believed as well.
"I wanted to join Newcastle, and I believe good things will come.
"I knew the club had that vision, and with the players that they were signing, they really want to go up, and I wanted to be part of this project.
"That's why I was very happy to join Newcastle."