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
Pottsclock
May 23, 2018 at 7:46 PM
Comment #41Bobbybee
Always good to have your balanced input and sensible thoughts. Some dodgy comments from others in earlier threads but please ignore them.
Your views are always welcome and we need more of your type of comments here.
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 7:55 PM
Comment #42Cheers Potts, just a bit of a bug bear of mine mate. Not many jobs in Northumberland mate and comments like that get thrown around far too loosely. Especially when aimed at someone who isn’t. So if Tsunki isn’t the ‘unemployed lowlife’ he targeted, who is?
Don’t worry, I’m over it. Don’t bear grudges either so said my bit. Sensitive subject that has no place on a football blog. Not required. 🙂
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 7:56 PM
Comment #43Jail the doom – monger thing is so passé
You said two years ago that there’s no
chance Rafa will stay if we get relegated.
Do you enjoy being wrong all the time ?
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 8:03 PM
Comment #44Still not convinced with Perez as our No10. He did score some nice goals towards the end so I’m hoping he’s on the up, but in fairness, he was pants last season and not great most of this.
If his recent form is a sign of things to come then I’ll be happy enough, but I’d still love to see Merino tried there. He’s got everything in his locker to shine there – as he has for Spanish junior sides. Maybe a bit more bulking up over the summer might help his game? He does get knocked off the ball frequently.
As we grow, we will leave some of this team behind. Shame, but that’s progress. Ayoze may be one, who knows? If he keeps improving though, he might retain his place. Always good to be looking forward.
lochinvar
May 23, 2018 at 8:08 PM
Comment #45Perez says he’s going nowhere.
Lascalles wants to Captain the club to greater heights.
Ritchie’s pumped up for future success.
Dubrovka can’t wait to be part of the action.
Kennedy too if he’s allowed.
Rafa and his team are focussed on building a real future for all involved.
Ashley now on board with funding this.
More flag and fan power than the rest put together.
Only one United in the Country.
DubaiMicky
May 23, 2018 at 8:14 PM
Comment #46lochinver, in the words of the song, “What a difference a week makes”…..
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 8:16 PM
Comment #47Damn right Loch! You can’t be called ‘United’ if your city isn’t can you? Manchester? Sheffield? Most in Leeds even support Manure or Liverpool ffs.
Newcastle is United because it’s more than a football club. It’s an extension of city pride and regional pride. It’s waving the flag for the North East of England. It’s what the southerners don’t get, which leads to cries of delusional.
They think we turn up because we expect to win every game. Be in Europe etc.
We turn up because we love the area, the city and the club. Totally UNITED.
Even the mackems manage to support their local club – for now anyway. 🙂
Newcastle, United, will never be defeated!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 23, 2018 at 8:20 PM
Comment #48Perez and Richie are Rafa type of players they put the work in and deliver when it matters with crucial goals and assists if we can get better players than them in the team or to compliment them we will certainly do well next season
Jail for Ashley
May 23, 2018 at 8:20 PM
Comment #49Jiblets,
Shut it, Mag52 asked a question and I’m answering it. It’s called debate, stick to filling us full of sh!t you seem to have found your vocation in life as a Walter Mitty. We’ve been down this road before of you making up lies, when did I say he’d leave if we were relegated, I wanted him to stay as much as anyone, you’re a proven liar and fantasist, you lowlife creep.
Mag52
May 23, 2018 at 8:21 PM
Comment #50Jail.
Agreed that Rafa getting a new deal this summer is the best possible option. I don’t think many would disagree with that.
However, if that doesn’t happen, for whatever reason, it doesn’t leave us as a rudderless ship.
Rafa is professional enough to carry on with his managing and coaching of the team for the third year of his contract in just the same way as he has for the first two.
Players today are only too aware that the manager they sign for could be out of the door within the first ten weeks of the new season if results don’t go the right way, so I’m not convinced that will be a handicap for Rafa in signing the players he wants.
The atmosphere in the stadium will very much depend on how the team is performing, and, if Rafa does manage to strengthen the side in the transfer window, that would have to result in success on the pitch.
What can change in a year’s time ? Who knows with Ashley. He is only consistent in his inconsistentcy and there’s as much reason to think he will offer Rafa a new contract next spring as not.
Personally I’d rather worry about it then than for the next twelve months. Life’s too short.
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 8:22 PM
Comment #51Get a room you two. 🙂 🙂
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 8:32 PM
Comment #52A lot can change in twelve months. Rafa might have signed a ten year deal and Ashley sold up and gone.
This is like the point I was making earlier. Why sweat on something that might not happen? Live for the moment. This might be as good as it gets!!
Right now things are looking rosy-ish. Finished tenth. Rafa still here. Clubs still up for sale-ish. Decent team only going to get stronger over the coming weeks. If we can’t enjoy this…
Bobbybee
May 23, 2018 at 8:45 PM
Comment #53Could the delay in signing Dubravka have anything to do with Alphonso Areole’s possible exit from PSG?
The Rumour a while ago was the Rafa wanted Areole to sign for us and I doubt Dubravka would settle for second choice after this season. Maybe both sides are waiting for a resolution there, before making a move?
Mag52
May 23, 2018 at 8:55 PM
Comment #54Bobby.
Or maybe the delay could even be something to do with Ashley ? I know it sounds odd, bearing in mind the speed and smoothness with which our transfers in the past have progressed. It’s just a thought.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 23, 2018 at 9:04 PM
Comment #55Or option 3 could it be that international transfers can’t be concluded at the moment?
Mag52
May 23, 2018 at 9:08 PM
Comment #56Brighton signed a Nigerian from Mainz today.
Jib
May 23, 2018 at 9:11 PM
Comment #57Mag 52
No they didn’t
Leon Balogun was a free agent
His contract with Bundesliga outfit Mainz expired
yesterday
Jail for Ashley
May 23, 2018 at 9:36 PM
Comment #58And Jiblets knows this because he just so happened to be watching a Nigerian talk show where the pundits spoke in a crude colloquial Hausa, luckily it wasn’t in Igbo as he’s not quite fluent in that.
jane
May 23, 2018 at 9:41 PM
Comment #59it’s unfair on Rafa to feel pressure to sign a new contract this summer if he doesn’t want to for whatever reason.
jane
May 23, 2018 at 9:42 PM
Comment #60if he doesn’t sign a new contract this summer he will probably explain and reassure.
jane
May 23, 2018 at 9:43 PM
Comment #61he may be offered a generous incentive to sign a new contract this summer though!
jane
May 23, 2018 at 9:47 PM
Comment #62Jail are you laying the groundwork for blaming Ashley if Rafa doesn’t sign a new contract this summer?
Jail for Ashley
May 23, 2018 at 9:49 PM
Comment #63His only incentive is being allowed to build a team that can compete.
jane
May 23, 2018 at 9:50 PM
Comment #64Leon Balogun was born in Germany and has played in Germany his whole career (10 years)
https://uk.soccerway.com/players/leon-balogun/39466/
Jail for Ashley
May 23, 2018 at 9:51 PM
Comment #65Jane,
The whole footballing world will blame Ashley if Rafa doesn’t sign a new deal.
jane
May 23, 2018 at 9:51 PM
Comment #66“His only incentive is being allowed to build a team that can compete.”
nicely worded, so no reason to sign this summer then?
Jail for Ashley
May 23, 2018 at 9:53 PM
Comment #67Eh???
Nicky the ball tosser
May 23, 2018 at 9:58 PM
Comment #68I think we have four genuinely good epl players in Perez, Shelvey, Lejeune and Lascelles. You can build a trophy winning team around a spine containing that level of still relatively young quality players.
I’d expect these players will remain as others around them are upgraded, as we inevitably push on to become a consistent top 8 side under Benitez.
Rafa talks about wanting a project, but he’s already pretty clearly started one at Newcastle.
jane
May 23, 2018 at 9:59 PM
Comment #69the only reason and incentive for Rafa to sign a new contract this summer is to help build a team that can compete?
jane
May 23, 2018 at 10:03 PM
Comment #70i think Murphy has got the potential to be a “genuinely good epl player” and Rafa saw this when he signed him.
Tsunki
May 23, 2018 at 10:04 PM
Comment #71Up until recently and especially during a sticky patch where Ritchie couldn’t find his form I thought he might be a great sub. But like most of Rafa’s charges he’s finally slotted into a tight role that really is a gaping hole when he’s not there. I started the season thinking he’ll do, but I can’t imagine Rafa having a team where he wasn’t available now.
jane
May 23, 2018 at 10:08 PM
Comment #72Ritchie has certainly been a mainstay of the team. one of only 4 players to play in all 12 of Newcastle’s wins.
Munster Mag
May 23, 2018 at 10:26 PM
Comment #73Nicky you cud probably add dupravka to the list, although he has a habit of getting badly pulled out of position.
Nicky the ball tosser
May 23, 2018 at 10:27 PM
Comment #74Ritchie, like Dummett, will likely have a longer term future at the club than a number of others, although not necessarily as a regular starter, I think. They are both very solid pro’s. Murphy I agree has the goods, but obviously still has a bit to do.
Munster Mag
May 23, 2018 at 10:30 PM
Comment #75Bobby 50m plus sales is a solid budget and sufficiently ambitious from Ashley. If Rafa left because it wasn’t enough I’d be disappointed with him. I assume the delay is about u23 development etc. Cud be an interesting summer indeed. Let’s hope we get those pace merchants to allow us to develop this counter attacking game.
Nicky the ball tosser
May 23, 2018 at 10:37 PM
Comment #76Yeah, Dubravka has made a very promising start for sure. Almost too good to be true, when you look at his fee and career up to now. So I’m still reserving judgement a little. But at 29 he’s at the perfect age, and he’s a true libero keeper of the type Rafa clearly likes and wants. Keeper is a critically important position of course.
Munster Mag
May 23, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Comment #77Nicky his positioning for the arsenal goal was shocking and it happened at other times too. Like him though.
RobLeenio
May 23, 2018 at 11:01 PM
Comment #78EGB from earlier:
“Ritchie is an new version of Rob Lee, well worth his place in the squad.”
Did I mention that I voted Ritchie our player of the season? No prizes for guessing my favourite player of all time.
😉
RobLeenio
May 23, 2018 at 11:03 PM
Comment #79Nicky, you forgot to mention Lejeune in your ‘genuine PL players’ list. It’s ok, I’ll forgive you. Don’t do it again…
😉
RobLeenio
May 23, 2018 at 11:04 PM
Comment #80Oops, just re-read your post. Hangs head in shame…