Delighted to be here... and raring to get going
NEW boy Mikel Merino is relishing the challenge of establishing himself at Newcastle United. The Spaniard has arrived on Tyneside bursting with enthusiasm and determined to show what he can do in. After limited opportunities at Borussia Dortmund last season, 21-year-old Merino is keen to get into competitive action with Newcastle, and is putting in extra effort to ensure he is fit. “It is a great challenge to be in the Premier League and I want to test myself at this level,” Merino told the Chronicle.
“You want to play with the best players and in the best games. That is really important to us as players.
“It is really important to see players like David Silva and Juan Mata in the Premier League. The top Spanish players are here.”
Merino made his first appearance in black-and-white stripes in the last 10 minutes of the friendly game against Mainz 05 last weekend, and slotted in at centre-back without any fuss.
After the game, he reflected: “I am really happy to be here and to play my first game.
“I am looking forward to continuing with the team and staying strong ahead of the season.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here.
“I know Rafa Benitez is a great coach and he is one of the reasons why I am here.
“I am looking forward to the next matches and learning a lot from him.”
Merino’s short stint at centre-half was just to give him a brief taste of action with Newcastle and in the weeks ahead fans will see him take a midfield role, probably alongside Jonjo Shelvey.
When asked what he can bring to the team, Merino said: “What I can bring to the team is ball control.
“I can get on the ball more and more and bring strength to the midfield. It is all about hard work in front of the defence and talking with my team-mates. I just want to help as much as I can.”
The United faithful were there in force again at the Opel Arena with around 500 fans making the journey to Mainz.
Merino admitted he was taken aback by the strength of Newcastle’s following for a friendly game abroad.
He added: “It was crazy to see so many make the journey so far to Germany just for a friendly!
“They were singing throughout the whole game.
“I just thought: ‘How good are these fans!’
“I am lucky to have played in front of great fans, first at Osasuna and later at Dortmund, now at Newcastle United.
“I have heard that the fans are really good.
“They are crazy about their team and I am looking forward to seeing them in my first match at St James’ Park.”
Merino has also enjoyed a warm welcome from his new team-mates and, with fellow Spaniards Javier Manquillo, Jesus Gamez and Ayoze Perez on board, he is confident he can settle in quickly on Tyneside.
He said: “They are really good guys and they have helped me settle in. For me, it is easy to be here with them. I now have Spanish teammates and I can also speak English with the others as well. I am really happy here.”