Rafael Benitez says Ayoze Perez is an important player for Newcastle.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has said that he is happy with the progress made by Spanish forward Ayoze Perez this season.
The former Liverpool manager has praised the 24-year-old’s versatility, and has labelled him as an “important” player for the side.
Perez joined the Magpies in 2014, and has made 112 league appearances (Premier League and Championship combined) for the club, scoring 22 goals.
The Spaniard is a versatile forward who can play across all three positions in midfield – left, right, and centre. However, this season, Benitez has primarily used him in the number 10 role, as a secondary striker.
Perez has started all seven games for Newcastle despite some supporters urging Benitez to be more adventurous in the number ten position or even play two up front.
The former Tenerife forward is yet to open his account for the season, but Benitez is happy with Perez’s blossoming partnership with summer signing Joselu.
However, Benitez has openly admitted that he would like to add competition in the number ten area in January.
“When I came here he was playing a lot of games in the wide areas because he was what they had,” said Benitez, as quoted by The Chronicle.
“Now he is more in the middle and I think the understanding with Joselu is quite good. The way that we want to play and his movements are quite good. I can see little things he must improve but in terms of his understanding when we have the ball and we don’t have the ball with the other players around, he is what we need.
“Because Perez can play as a striker, he can play as a second striker, he is an important player for us in this situation.
“Are we looking for competition for him? Yes we are looking for competition for every player in every position. But if you don’t find anyone you have to use the players you have and I am quite happy with him.”
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