Newcastle fans on Twitter can’t see how Ayoze Perez will progress
With Ayoze Perez currently in his 5th season with Newcastle United, a lot of fans have been asking the question of what is next for the 25-year-old. He’s scored goals and registered assists for the club but the fans still can’t tell you whether he’s better as a #10 or as a striker.
Ayoze Perez – what's the next step in his development? Seems he's coping a lot better with the physical side. What annoys me these days is that he never looks up when he has the ball in his feet in the final third. So quickly dispossesed. Is he aware of it? #NUFC
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) November 8, 2018
When the Spanish attacker first came to the Premier League he struggled to adapt to the physicality of the league, however, over time he’s gradually become more robust and is better at dealing with the brutality in the English game. One thing that The Magpies have picked up on is that the Spaniard is easily dispossessed and failed to get his head up in the final third, a trait that would be enough to annoy any football fan.
If Ayoze is to improve and score more goals like he did last Saturday in The Magpies’ first win of the season then the decision will need to be made over whether he’s more of a striker or a creative midfielder. Most of his goals last season and in previous years have come from more advanced positions where he could take one touch to finish off chances, something that he’s unable to do when deployed deeper and behind either Joselu or Salomon Rondon.
You can read The Magpies’ verdict on Perez here:
I think he should play higher, being behind the main striker is pointless for him.. look at the goals he scores, they’re smart one touch finishes, always clever tap ins or backheels.
— 10% battery (@40_40vision) November 8, 2018
To be fair to him when he gets the ball in the final 3rd there is usually nobody anywhere near him – same issue for any of our forwards when we generally have all the other 9/10 players behind the ball. Feel sorry for Perez personally, his attributes probably dont suit our style.
— Toon Stew (@toonarmyblog) November 8, 2018
Flog him to a bottom half La Liga team. He’ll do okay there, but I’ve seen enough to believe he won’t accomplish much in the PL.
— Ali Al-Mufti (@TheNotoriousAAM) November 8, 2018
He has never and will never be a no.10 he needs to be playing on the shoulder of the last defender and start doing those one touch finishes again.
— Aaron Olsson (@AOlssonNUFC) November 8, 2018
Do you think he can develop further? I think he's at his peak in this league. Def more suited to Spanish football. He's had a few seasons here. Sure Rafa has tried to work on his game. Some things you just can't teach/change.
— Marshall (@doolallytap73) November 8, 2018
Still can't believe his first season as our striker as last option. He's not the 10 we need but I think with a quality 10 he can be our striker. So hugely talented.
— chetan chohan (@ChetanChohan7) November 8, 2018
Consistency.
— Rob M (@GeordieRobM) November 8, 2018
The Geordies want to see Perez used further up the pitch either alongside another striker or alone, but they believe he doesn’t suit being a #10 in the Premier League.
