Ayoze Perez has had one of his best seasons ever at Newcastle, and he ended up as the top scorer with 10 goals, and 8 of those were in the Premier League.
Not too bad for a player we signed for only €2M from Tenerife four years ago.
His improved form and work-rate are due to his compatriot Rafa Benitez and the guidance the manager has given Ayoze.
We have seen Perez run his socks off for the cause until he could give no more.
But even when he wasn’t scoring goals, he was vital to the side.
Ayoze Perez scores against Stoke
Ayoze has been talking to Radio Marca Tenerife while relaxing back at home and recharging his batteries.
Here is the transcript we took from The Mag:
“Newcastle is my second home.” “I have been there four years and I’ve grown a lot. I’m almost bilingual.”
“Coloccini was like a big brother to me. At first I struggled to adapt and he helped me a lot.”
“The language quickly went well but driving on the left was more difficult.”
“It is true that I have an automatic car and on one of the first days, with the team doctor behind me, I could hardly get out of a roundabout.”
“Then he asked Coloccini if he had a driver’s license.”
“I’m recharging the batteries now.”
“The year has been hard and the holidays are deserved, although right now it was my best time.
“The victory over Chelsea on the last day. My first double in the Premier League, my family (there), we finished tenth – It was very special.”
“To this day I have no plans to leave England and return to Spain.” “I am very comfortable at Newcastle and in the Premier League.”
“It’s a very professional football environment and I am a little English now.
“All of this year’s goals have been important. The goal at Leicester was very nice.”
“I also scored against Arsenal at home and that day we guaranteed staying up. At home, we took points off all the big ones except Manchester City.
“The goals were nice but the best thing is that they were in important moments of the season and we got points.”
“Salvation this year was at 36 points.
“My goals helped to add 12 points and only the one I got at Watford wasn’t worth anything – when we lost 2-1.”
“At any time of the year you can waver. We had a bump in the middle of the season (with 1 point from 9 games) but we ended very well.
‘To have ended tenth has a lot of value as we were a newly promoted team.
“I like to grow and I am ambitious, (I like to take) what I think are steps forward.
“Rafa Benítez has been responsible for much of what I have learned.”
We are hoping that Ayoze’s goalscoring prowess will continue next season – we need as many players as possible scoring goals for us next term.
Rafa is expected to bring in at least one new striker this summer – whoever that may be (Harry Kane perhaps?).
But Perez’ 8 goals in the league were priceless to our survival last season – there’s no doubt about that.
Note:
Jack Farish is currently studying for a Master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology at Northumbria University.
His thesis project looks at Premier League fans’ team identification – how well they support and identify with their team.
Jack has put together a relatively short questionnaire of team identification and satisfaction with life; it should take no longer than 10 minutes.
You can help Jack by filling out the survey here.
126 comments so far
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 4:49 PM
Comment #1I was going to post the link to the interview from
Radio Lazarote but the Spanish is very colloquial,
fast and in a strong Canarian accent so didn’t bother .
Mr Tuff claims a degree of fluency in Spanish
however seeing as he has difficulty chewing gum
and walking at the same time – I don’t believe him
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 4:49 PM
Comment #2Lanzarote even
sing in the corner
May 23, 2018 at 5:02 PM
Comment #3I know Ayoze has had his critics ove the 4years and probably deservedly so, but I think little by little he has added more consistency to his game.
And one of the negatives about him has always been his lack of ‘physicality’ – often far too easily bullied and knocked off the ball by defenders. Well watching him in the second half of the season it looks like he’s toughened up a bit, at last!
Mag52
May 23, 2018 at 5:03 PM
Comment #4Undoubtedly one of the stars of the season, and a player who is going to get better.
AncientC
May 23, 2018 at 5:06 PM
Comment #5Jib, you really must do better with your jibes. I had to inform you only a few weeks ago that Benitez doesn’t play 4-2-3-1 anymore lol.
sing in the corner
May 23, 2018 at 5:08 PM
Comment #6Mag52
Yeah I’d agree with that. To be honest, I wouldn’t have complained had we sold him last summer, but he’s grafted hard and changed my mind, I’m happy to say.
AncientC
May 23, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Comment #7How is Balotelli out of form anyway? He is still scoring goals for Nice and his record at Man City wasn’t bad, although he did go off the boil towards the end of his Man City days. Balotelli is known for being petulant and childish in his younger years, but he is apparently a lot more grown up these days. He is getting a bad rep at Nice, but that is because he is running his contract down and the manager isn’t happy.
Like I said, Balotelli is the opposite of Adebayor, he will take a wage cut and move on if his club isn’t happy with him. Not many players possess that virtue. He is only 27 years old, too. Torres has been past it for a long long time.
Mag52
May 23, 2018 at 5:15 PM
Comment #8Torres + Rafa, a deadly duo.
DubaiMicky
May 23, 2018 at 5:16 PM
Comment #9So the great unwashed appear to be starting as they mean to go on:- (BBC)
Ross, 41, who guided the Paisley side to the Scottish Championship title this season, has also had talks with English second-tier club Ipswich Town.
New owner Stewart Donald confirmed Sunderland had “agreed terms and the contracts are with the lawyers”.
However, St Mirren chairman Gordon Scott has said there has “been no contact from Sunderland”.
He said: “Jack is on holiday. So unless there is some major skullduggery going on then it’s nonsense.
“To hold talks with Jack, we would have to grant permission, but we’ve had no contact from Sunderland at all.”
sing in the corner
May 23, 2018 at 5:20 PM
Comment #10I’m sure Rafa would get a canny tune out of Torres again..but he’s likely looking for the big last pay cheque in his next move. MLS has to be favourite surely?
I’d sooner have him at the toon than Mario though, if it was a straight choice. The contract would have to work for us and I doubt it would be what El Niño has in mind.
SredniVashtar
May 23, 2018 at 5:22 PM
Comment #11Re balotelli –
He scored 26 goals in 38 games this year – a very good turnout in what is a relatively poor side. He’s still on decent form and I would definitely take him on a free based on goal scoring form. His only drawback is his temperament – he was sent off once this season. If Rafa’s relationship with mitro is anything to go by, he probably won’t want balotelli, but you could equally look at Shelvey for a counterexample. I personally would be happy with balotelli joining us but I’m not sure if Rafa would sanction it.
Question is: is there anyone better available for less than 25 million?
sing in the corner
May 23, 2018 at 5:26 PM
Comment #12If Danny Ings continues to build / prove his fitness…I would go for him. Surplus to requirements at Liverpool you would think. Bit of a risk with the unfortunate injuries but he’s been back training and playing with no recurrences so why not?
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 5:34 PM
Comment #13George Ormond, a coach in the North-East who was jailed
for six years in 2002 for carrying out numerous assaults
across a 24-year period has gone on trial for historic sex
abuse of teenage footballers.
he denies 36 counts of indecent assault,
one of indecency with a child and one of buggery
and is on trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
Mister Tuff
May 23, 2018 at 5:46 PM
Comment #14Jib Jibberish – you lie – I’ve never mentioned anything about speaking Spanish fluently – you lie”.
You need to stop lying and especially at court where I suspect you are a character witness in the case you have just mentioned.
Tsunki
May 23, 2018 at 5:50 PM
Comment #15Didn’t balotelli used to park his motor slap bang in Manchester city centre and mosey back a day or two later to get it back, paying the fines like it was his private parking fee? 🙂 quite a character not averse to slagging off his previous club as he moved on. Undoubted talent but with a massive chip on his shoulder as an adoptee I suppose, not someone who would help with team spirit and someone who would happily throw coaching and tactical instruction out of the window in an egotistical fit. I remember him playing for city in a friendly overseas and chucking the best chance of the game with a failed bit of showboating. Not a Rafa choice.
Torres – he would be great at this club for experience and morale and having played through some difficult times in the prem, knows the score. A fantastic tutor and mentor for a strike coaching setup.
Although I will avoid jibs customary insults, I have to agree in this case on the mad Balotelli v Torres debate.
Tsunki
May 23, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Comment #16In Fuerteventura there is a Mirador with impressive views of the volcanic landscape which feature two large statues of the last aboriginal kings of the island, Guiza and Ayose. I wonder if this peculiarly Canarian favourite name Ayoze comes from?
Fun (possible) factoid of the day
DubaiMicky
May 23, 2018 at 5:57 PM
Comment #17Guanches Tsunki, total Guanches .
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Comment #18Mister Tuff
Jib Jibberish – you lie – I’ve never mentioned anything
about speaking Spanish fluently – you lie
However I do have difficulty chewing gum and walking
at the same time
Tsunki
May 23, 2018 at 6:13 PM
Comment #19Jib – score with that one I genuinely laughed out loud. 🙂
Tsunki
May 23, 2018 at 6:14 PM
Comment #20Dubai – yes Guanches a tall and apparently very handsome people sadly no more.
cyprus
May 23, 2018 at 6:14 PM
Comment #21Good words by both Ritchie and Perez.
On Merino, hope we keep him. A real talent, I think.
Ron Knee
May 23, 2018 at 6:16 PM
Comment #22“Lyndon B Johnson is often reported to have said of Ford that “He can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.” What he did say was “He can’t fart and chew gum at the same time.””
Tsunki
May 23, 2018 at 6:18 PM
Comment #23Ron – can anyone? I mean safely? As Jack Nicholson in the Bucket List said of growing old –
“Never trust a fart”
😀
Ron Knee
May 23, 2018 at 6:21 PM
Comment #24Tsunki
I’ll let you know.
Ron Knee
May 23, 2018 at 6:23 PM
Comment #25And of course, John Cleese: “I fart in your general direction.”
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 6:25 PM
Comment #26I thought it was Nixon about Gerald Ford
He also said Ford played too many football
games without his helmet
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 6:32 PM
Comment #27Johnson’s vice was Hubert Humphrey
hibbit
May 23, 2018 at 6:33 PM
Comment #28a few words from a well known local poet
” here i sit broken hearted paid a penny and only farted “
Ron Knee
May 23, 2018 at 6:34 PM
Comment #29Jib
Johnson might have been crooked, but he was funny – at times. The wit and wisdom of Richard Nixon would be a very slim tome.
There’s Johnson’s famous remark about Hoover: It’s probably better to have him inside the tent p*ssing out, than outside the tent p*ssing in.
chicousa
May 23, 2018 at 6:48 PM
Comment #30Ron,
That’s a classic!
dig-n-dig22
May 23, 2018 at 6:54 PM
Comment #31After looking at players wages, I think we will have to compromise between VFM and quality I hope we don’t rush into panic buying In the WC there will be plenty of rough cut Diamonds that just need a bit of polish and we have a manager who can pick them out and spot a bargain.
lochinvar
May 23, 2018 at 6:59 PM
Comment #32And to think Charnley’s only on £150,000 pa
What hold does Asjley have over him ?
Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain has left the relegated Championship side, who have scrapped the position.
Bain was appointed in May 2016 after the resignation of Margaret Byrne,after the Adam Johnson incident, but has been made redundant following Stewart Donald’s takeover of the club.
The club’s most recent accounts showed their highest-paid director, understood to be Bain, earned £1.24m.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 23, 2018 at 7:20 PM
Comment #33Ayoze claims he is bi-lingual, presumably that is Spanish and Geordie, wonder how he manages when he’s darn sarf.
Munster Mag
May 23, 2018 at 7:21 PM
Comment #34Is the 50mill budget accurate? Who is reporting this?
Essex Geordie Bill
May 23, 2018 at 7:22 PM
Comment #358 EPL goals from a number ten is a pretty good return for any team. I reckon we’ll see a lot more next season.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 23, 2018 at 7:23 PM
Comment #36I don’t mean transferred down sarf, I hasten to add, wouldn’t want that to happen.
DubaiMicky
May 23, 2018 at 7:36 PM
Comment #37Ayoze bi-lingual, Spanish and Geordie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSXzRWlL7Z0
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #38Toon brother, no shame on you pal, if you’re a still there. Unemployed lowlife is a nasty slur against the unemployed,used far too often. You used it against someone who isn’t unemployed you dork.
My son doesn’t get benefits, I’m expected to keep him, something I’m happy to do.
When you spin ‘unemployed’ and ‘lowlife’ together it only means one thing.
Think before you act in the future. It doesn’t hurt, I promise. 🙂
Jail for Ashley
May 23, 2018 at 7:40 PM
Comment #39Mag52 asked why it’s so important that Rafa signs a new deal this summer. The reason I think it’s so important is for a few reasons that all add up to the same thing. Firstly, his signing a new deal will massively affect the type of players we can sign. It’s been shown that a rudderless ship of a club with no ambition can attract players like Sissoko, Jaanmat, Debuchy, Marveaux etc who don’t care about the club only the shop window and picking up a wage, the type of players we need are those that value winning above all else. Secondly, if we have the circus of him leaving at the end of the season how is it going to affect the palyers already here, we seen the effects the takeover talk had lst season albeit coinciding with Lascelles absence, there will be a serious dip in morale if everyone thinks the manager might be leaving. You also have the crowd to think about, I think most people will suspect that if he doesn’t sign this summer then he isn’t going to, thetre will be an air of resignation in the stadium that will most definitely filter through to the pitch. You have to ask yourself as well, if he doesn’t sign now what can possibly change in a years time, if Ashleys ambitions don’t match his now then they definitely won’t in a years time. The only hope that would leave us would be that a serious bidder comes in, and while the fat man is over valuing us that’s not likely to happen.
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 7:42 PM
Comment #40Munster it’s been widely reported mate. From nationals to locals to the town gossips. I think there’s truth in it. Plus sales. Could be an interesting window.