Trip to the Bridge promises to be just Fab for midfield ace
MIKEL Merino says taking on starstudded Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will “feel like” he is playing FIFA 18 on his console, writes LEE RYDER.
The Spaniard cannot wait to line up against his fellow countryman and World Cup winner Cesc Fabregas and admits he would like to be as good as him in the future.
Ahead of the televised lunchtime clash, Merino said: “I am looking forward to playing against Fabregas – he has been a great player for Spain and in the Premier League.
“For a player like me, who is young and playing my first matches as a professional, it is incredible to play against someone like Cesc Fabregas.
“You feel like you are in a film or a video game. It is amazing to be able to play against one of these players but it makes me even more determined to improve myself so I can fight with them.
“I want to show I am at the same level they are and deserve to be playing against them.
“Why not? Why not try to eventually get better than them?”
Merino will also line up against of other Spanish stars such as Álvaro Morata, Marcos Alonso and Pedro – and he needs no reminding of their quality.
He went on: “Chelsea have great Spanish players. They have great players all over the field but it is the Spanish players I know most about and have grown up watching.
“We know it is going to be a hard match but we will be going there with plenty of confidence, knowing we can beat anybody.
“We want to produce a great perfromance.”
Newcastle’s confidence has also been boosted after their battling draw at West Brom in which they came back from two goals down.
Merino said: “I think the fight we showed in the last game (at West Brom) is the most important thing a team can have.
“That kind of mentality, and the way we fought for each ball, is what you have to have if you want to achieve anything.
“We did not lose our mindset even though we were 2-0 behind.
“We kept fighting and that is the spirit this team has.
“We have to keep going showing that character now.