Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez had something to finally shout about last weekend as he opened his account for the club in the season of 2018/19 with the winning goal against Watford.
The 25-year-old striker does split opinions in the fanbase as his goal return isn’t the greatest for somebody in his position and the Spaniard isn’t a big target man either with the benefits that can bring. For a £1million fee back in the summer of 2014 though, plenty feel he has shown signs of developing and has been a bit of a bargain and still has a role to play – but to get the best from him, he should be used differently.
Ayoze Perez – what's the next step in his development? Seems he's coping a lot better with the physical side. What annoys me these days is that he never looks up when he has the ball in his feet in the final third. So quickly dispossesed. Is he aware of it? #NUFC
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) November 8, 2018
His peak years should still be ahead of him though and that does remain in his favour.
I think he should play higher, being behind the main striker is pointless for him.. look at the goals he scores, they’re smart one touch finishes, always clever tap ins or backheels.
— 10% battery (@40_40vision) November 8, 2018
Agree 100% with this. He’s better the less time he has on the ball, in a non-disparaging way.
— James Mitchell (@jamesbmitchell) November 8, 2018
To be fair to him when he gets the ball in the final 3rd there is usually nobody anywhere near him – same issue for any of our forwards when we generally have all the other 9/10 players behind the ball. Feel sorry for Perez personally, his attributes probably dont suit our style.
— Toon Stew (@toonarmyblog) November 8, 2018
Flog him to a bottom half La Liga team. He’ll do okay there, but I’ve seen enough to believe he won’t accomplish much in the PL.
— Ali Al-Mufti (@TheNotoriousAAM) November 8, 2018
He has never and will never be a no.10 he needs to be playing on the shoulder of the last defender and start doing those one touch finishes again.
— Aaron Olsson (@AOlssonNUFC) November 8, 2018
Do you think he can develop further? I think he's at his peak in this league. Def more suited to Spanish football. He's had a few seasons here. Sure Rafa has tried to work on his game. Some things you just can't teach/change.
— Marshall (@doolallytap73) November 8, 2018
Still can't believe his first season as our striker as last option. He's not the 10 we need but I think with a quality 10 he can be our striker. So hugely talented.
— chetan chohan (@ChetanChohan7) November 8, 2018
Consistency.
— Rob M (@GeordieRobM) November 8, 2018
Highlighting how his goals usually come about is a fair point I think and even for those who praise and acknowledge his strength improvements, I think even they’d largely agree that his end product seems better when he’s more advanced, rather than in the mix of the battle.