The Newcastle United striker believes he is a more complete player thanks to Benitez.
Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle has credited Rafa Benitez with improving his game by teaching him to run in behind and along the defensive line more often, as quoted by Chronicle Live.
Gayle has been the Championship’s most lethal player since joining the relegated Magpies from Crystal Palace in the summer.
The 26-year-old has scored 13 goals in 13 league games, including nine in his last six, made up of a hat-trick and three braces.
His goalscoring prowess is obvious, but Gayle has explained that Benitez has helped him become both more lethal and a more complete player thanks to one simple change.
Gayle said, via Chronicle Live: “He is just trying to get into my game in terms of running in behind and running parallel.
“He has told me to press more when losing. You want to learn about all things in general. He has brought many things to my game.
“I am buzzing just to be playing and scoring. It’s fantastic to be playing in the team. We know we have to a job or somebody will take your place. It’s working fantastically well. It might not if things aren’t going well but hopefully it continues.”
Gayle looks arguably the most complete striker in the Championship at present, and he will be hoping to keep up his goal-a-game ratio when the Magpies host Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.
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