Pereira is the best player in the league – Ajayi
SEMI Ajayi says believes West Bromwich Albion teammate Matheus Pereira is the best player in the Championship.
The Nigerian defender, who opened the scoring in Sunday’s 5-1 hammering of Swansea City at The Hawthorns, watched Brazilian ace Pereira work his magic at the other end of the pitch as he ran rings around the Swans and played a part in all five goals.
Ajayi, a £1.5 million summer signing from Rotherham United, netted his third goal of the campaign and is enjoying himself at Albion after striking up a flourishing partnership with Kyle Bartley at the back.
Pereira, though, is someone
he enjoys watching just as much as playing alongside.
“It’s a joy to play with him, but I can imagine it’s even more of a joy to watch him,” Ajayi said. “Some of his passing against Swansea was unreal and long may it continue.”
Pereira took his tally to 11 for the season with another three assists against Swansea. The masterful midfielder also scored his fifth goal in 12 games to leave Ajayi of the opinion he is “definitely” the league’s best player.
“From the performances he has put in it’s hard to argue otherwise,” the centre-back said. “We’re all really pleased for him.
“It’s a joy to be part of this team. Everyone is singing off the same hymn sheet and we have got a lot of talented players in the team.
“I think everyone has got a really good understanding of what we want to do. It is a joy to play in this team, definitely. It’s about keeping the momentum going. We are taking things one game at a time.”
Hal Robson-Kanu has been enjoying form in the last couple of months Albion fans have scarcely seen from him since he joined the club.
He has netted six goals in nine matches and become the focal point Albion have been longing for at the top end of the pitch.
“Hal is on absolute fire at the moment, too. We are all really, really happy for him,” Ajayi added.
“He is getting the goals but, more importantly, his all-round play has been really good and that is allowing us to get up the pitch. I’m delighted for him.”
Albion will look to continue their form when they head to St Andrew’s to face Blues on Saturday.