Middlesbrough face Manchester City this weekend.
Alvaro Negredo of Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough defender Antonio Barragan believes teammate Alvaro Negredo is one of the best players in the Premier League as he faces his former side Manchester City this weekend, mfc.co.uk report.
Boro head to the Etihad Stadium looking to pick up where they left off last weekend as a 2-0 win over Bournemouth saw Aitor Karanka’s side move three points clear of the drop zone.
City currently top the Premier League table on goal difference, and for Boro to claim a positive result they will have to defend superbly and look to take any chances which come their way.
Middlesbrough’s Adam Clayton and Antonio Barragan at the end of the match
Spanish defender Barragan is confident ahead of the game, and he believes former City man Negredo has the tools to hurt the Citizens as he labels his compatriot one of the best forwards in the league.
“Alvaro’s pleased to play against Manchester City again. He’s in a good place now and he’s motivated for every game to be scoring goals and winning games,” Barragan told the club’s official website.
“I think he’s one of the best players out there, I’m really lucky to be able to play with him.”
Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo in action
Negredo joined Boro in the summer after a two-year spell with Valencia back in his native Spain.
The Spain international, 31, enjoyed a successful season at City, scoring nine goals in 32 Premier League appearances as he helped the Citizens win both the title and the League Cup in the 2014.
However, he surprisingly left after just 12 months at the Etihad Stadium and now he heads back there with a Boro side who may well need his goals to stay up come the end of the season.
Middlesbrough’s Alvaro Negredo heads at goal
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