Newcastle United’s start to the Premier League campaign has been somewhat of an eventful one.
After a difficult first few games, with calls for Alan Pardew’s dismissal being widely aired, it looks as though the former Charlton Athletic and West Ham gaffer is finally turning things around on Tyneside. Winning three consecutive games, the Magpies are now up to 11th place in the table, having spending the majority of the season so far at the wrong end. With this new breed of confidence spreading through the Newcastle camp, the Toon Army are now hoping Pardew can deliver something similar to the fifth place finish of three years ago.
The Northerners haven’t really hit the same heights since that impressive finish in the 2011/2012 season which resulted in qualification for the Europa League.
Now, players like Moussa Sissoko, Cheick Tiote, Fabricio Coloccini and Tim Krul are finally starting to use their valuable league experience to spearhead the Magpies up the table. New recruits Remy Cabella, Jack Colback and Daryl Janmaat are also beginning to flourish and show why they deserve to wear the famous black and white of Newcastle United.
With Pardew busy over the summer in terms of player recruitment, one player who few knew much about is starting to catch the eye. Striker Ayoze Perez has come relative obscurity to already notch winning goals against Tottenham Hotspur and, most recently, at home to Liverpool.
So who is this newest forward starting to make a name for himself in English football?
Despite making the incredible step up to arguably the toughest league in the world, Perez’s goal record is not something to boast about. Playing the majority of his football in his native Spain for La Liga second division minnows Tenerife, Perez scored 11 goals in 35 appearances for the ‘B’ team.
When he made the leap to the senior squad his record wasn’t much better, netting 17 times in half a century of games between 2012-2014. However, Perez played much of this time as an attacking midfielder, and his form for Tenerife was good enough to win the young striker the breakthrough player of the year award and best attacking midfielder of the year award in the Segunda Division at the Liga de Futbol Profesional awards ceremony.
Newcastle United should deem themselves lucky to sign Perez – especially for a bargain £1.5m – considering the likes of Spanish giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Portuguese side FC Porto were also fighting for his signature. Perez might have been persuaded to come and play his football in England by his older brother, Samuel, who plays for non-league side Blyth Spartans.
Since his move on Tyneside, Perez has earned himself a call up to the Spanish U-21 side, making his debut against Hungary last month, and is in the squad to face Austria later in November. Perez’ strength as a player comes from his ability to finish in the penalty area.
With many top clubs from around Europe after his signature, Newcastle look as though they have found themselves a star in the making.
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