Newcastle United are in a tough spot at the moment. The fans are all uniting to stand up against Mike Ashley and would do anything to rid their club of the tyrant owner. As the focus turns away from the pitch, the players must do even more on it to help their club, and Ayoze Perez, in particular, faces a tough decision in the coming months.
The Spanish second-striker/number ten has shown what he can do at St James Park. The 25-year-old brings flair, trickery and end product to Newcastle United and his goal against Watford was the one that finally brought them their first win of the season after 12 games. Although things will get worse before they better in the Northeast and it will be up to players like Perez to help drag their club through it.
After being apart of the Magpies’ side that went down in the 2015/16 season, it would be a big ask of a talented player like the Spaniard to stay through two relegations and endure two seasons in the Championship. When you factor in that the way the front-man plays would see him thrive in La Liga, you could forgive him for wanting out of St James Park if things continue to go downhill at the club throughout this season.
However, If Ayoze Perez decides to tough it out and stay at Newcastle, he could be the shining light on the pitch and the man that drags the Geordies through the bad times. If he can keep firing and keep his side performing, much like he did last season when Rafa Benitez masterminded a four-match winning run, then he could keep Newcastle in the Premier League and keep his side battling whilst the fans ramp up the pressure on Mike Ashley.
Until serious investment is made at Newcastle, they will be a side constantly battling against the drop and the question is to any top players: Do you want to be apart of that? Most will say no, ruling themselves out of a transfer to the famous old club, so keeping those that they already have is vital to survival and progression. If Perez stays and fights then he could become a hero at Newcastle, the man who got them through the Ashley era, although equally, he could leave to pursue a better career in his native Spain.
