Tag: Ayoze Perez

Rafael Benitez refuses to rule out Premier League comeback

Former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has said that he is focused on doing his job with Dalian Yifang, although he would prefer a return to the United Kingdom in the future. The Spanish tactician had managed the Magpies for the past three-and-a-half seasons but he decided against penning a new contract beyond last month after he was aware that owner Mike Ashley won’t spend big in the transfer market.

Since then, Benitez has linked up with Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang but he has hinted that he could favour a Premier League return with the Magpies or any other club, he said: “I expect to do well with Dalian Yifang and after that to come back to the UK. I don’t know when. But you are always happy to come back where people appreciate your effort and commitment – and Newcastle United’s fans have been one of the best in my management career.I can only offer them my gratitude. I showed my commitment from day one and they supported me all the time – even when things on the pitch were not going well. They supported the team and me. I sincerely hope they can achieve their potential. They deserve the best they can get.”

In the past two years, the Magpies have found themselves in a relegation muddle during the opening half of the campaign but they have managed to come up with a strong backend to the season to avoid the drop. Much of that credit has gone to Benitez, who has kept the team motivated and it remains to be seen whether the new manager can do the same.

Aside from Benitez, the Magpies have made the surprise decision to sell Ayoze Perez to Leicester City and that could leave a huge void on the attack front next season, considering the club may also be without Rondon. Rondon excelled during the second half of the loan stint from West Bromwich Albion last term and there are suggestions that West Ham United could beat them to the striker’s permanent signature this summer.

Rafael Benitez hails Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has praised the impact of Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon upfront during the 3-2 comeback win over Everton in the Premier League. The Magpies found themselves 2-0 down to Everton after the first-half interval but they made a tremendous comeback following the break with a brace from Ayoze Perez and a Salomon Rondon strike ensuring maximum points.

Speaking after the game, Benitez was full of praise for both Perez and Rondon, and was pleased with the stunning comeback after a 2-0 deficit before the break, he said: “The first goal – if Messi did this – people would be talking about that for a while. He [Perez] did really well. If Alan Shearer scored the goal Rondon did it would be talked about for a long time.

“Normally I say to the players stay calm at half time, score one goal and get back into the game. In the first half we had chances to score but they scored two goals. We changed the shape of the team – with Ritchie on the right and four at the back. We were winning more second balls in the second half. The players deserve to win these five games [in a row at home].”

With the victory, the Magpies secured their fifth successive triumph at St James Park and the result has helped them maintain the six-point gap over the drop zone. The Magpies have only two more home games before the close of the campaign but they would nonetheless be confident of beating the drop, given five of their last eight games are against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Despite the positive, there remain question marks regarding the future of Benitez, who has been left disappointed with the restricted spending over the years. The Spanish tactician is on course to keep the Magpies in the Premier League for the second season running, but he may need assurances of more recruitment before he pens a new contract beyond the summer.

Rafael Benitez pleased with Miguel Almiron’s full debut for Newcastle United

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has spoken positively about Miguel Almiron after the attacker dazzled during the club’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town this weekend. The Paraguay international made his full debut against the Terriers and he put on a show which earned him the praise of the club’s faithful.

Almiron could not contribute towards the club’s scoresheet on the day but he was still praised by the supporters after orchestrating the attack with as many as three shots on target. Following the game, Benitez was impressed with the showing of the club’s winter signing and sympathised that the forward could not score his maiden goal.

He said: “He did well. Obviously he’s a different kind of player with different characteristics and he is giving us another option so if you have to change something, you can make the difference with one player or another player, so it has been positive. It was a pity for him because he could have scored and it would have been even better. Yesterday when you were asking me, I knew that he was playing! I wanted to make a headline!”

The Magpies squandered a 1-0 advantage against Wolverhampton Wanderers during stoppage time in the previous gameweek and that certainly frustrated Benitez with the team fighting to beat the drop. However, there were no such concerns against free-falling Huddersfield for the weekend and goals from Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez ensured a routine triumph against an opposition, who were down to 10 men after just 20 minutes.

Next up, the Tyneside outfit have another home game against Burnley in midweek but the game should pose a stiffer challenge, given the form of the Clarets. Sean Dyche’s team are unbeaten in the Premier League since the turn of the year and the Magpies can expect strong opposition with Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes in good run of form.