Spanish whey ayes... Joselu and Perez strike
SPANIARD GLAD RAFA STILL ON TYNESIDE AND BELIEVES HE’S BEST MAN FOR UNITED
AYOZE Perez is pleased manager Rafa Benitez decided to stick with Newcastle United this summer – but warned it is crucial ‘to keep him as happy as possible.’
The Magpies’ boss has just one year left on his contract and talks over a new deal have stalled.
Benitez was linked with West Ham and Napoli this summer and recently admitted he turned down the Spain job before the World Cup.
Fears are growing on Tyneside the Spaniard could walk away at the end of his current contract as transfer deadlock has struck again.
United have 16 days left before the window closes but have signed just three players, two of whom were with the club on loan last season.
However, Perez believes Benitez can help the Magpies build on last season’s 10th-placed finish and thinks it was key to keep the ex-Real Madrid boss.
He told the Chronicle: “I was pleased to hear Benitez is staying for this season. It is really important to keep him because we will always be safe under him.
“He does a great job. He has been really good for the squad, the city and the club in the last two and a half years.
“The most important thing is to keep him and keep him as happy as possible. He will put the team where tey deserve to be.
“We are climbing the league and we are getting better. There is still a long way to go but we are getting to the point where we want to be.”
Last season’s top scorer Perez has established himself as a valuable squad member since joining from Tenerife in 2014.
Still just 24, the forward was handed the captain’s armband during the recent friendly with St Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland.
Having already scored 35 goals for United, the forward feels he has a lot more to achieve and aims to reach his half-century this season.
He added: “It is achievable but it would not be easy. I am really proud of what I have done so far.
“I am really happy to make it at Newcastle and this is my fifth season now. It is quite a long time so I am happy but want to add to the numbers in terms of appearances, goals and assists for the team. Hopefully, it can be many more.”
Perez netted 10 goals in all competitions last season, eight of which came in the Premier League.
Looking ahead to the new campaign, he said: “It isanother season and I am looking forward to start ingit.
“I want to make sure we are ready. We are ready for the season and we are making sure we are as fit as we can be for the first game against Tottenham.”
Reaching double figures proved to be a real boost for Perez, while the striker also effectively sealed survival with an audacious chip at Leicester City to seal a 2-1 win. Perez is aiming to better his tally of 10 strikes last season. He added: “I want to get better numbers as a striker and that is the aim. I want to be even more consistent in terms of performance and add goals to my game. “The team did very well last season. I was really happy to chip in with goals but now it is a new season and I am making sure we are ready to it.” After their stint in Ireland, United will face Porto at the weekend. Perez said of the trips: “Ireland was important and Portugal will be too. “It is important for everybody to be together and spend most of your time as a squad. You work really hard in the day and then spend time with each other at night. “That is vital and we know how important pre-season is for the rest of the year. We have good tests in terms of friendlies coming up now so we must work hard and get on with the task in hand.”
The most important thing is to keep him (Rafa Benitez) as happy as possible. He will put the team where they deserve to be Ayoze Perez