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Pardew Praises Poacher Perez
Written by Newcastle Utd
United boss Alan Pardew believes young striker Ayoze Perez has the technique of a "top player"
By Tom Easterby
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has heaped praise upon in-form Ayoze Perez ahead of Saturday's trip to West Ham, saying the young forward has the technique of a "top player".
The 21-year-old, who joined the Magpies from Tenerife in the summer, has scored three goals in his last four Barclays Premier League games - winners against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool and the opener in a 2-0 victory at West Brom.
And while his manager has spoken highly of the rookie striker, lauding his ability on the ball, he has also identified an area for improvement for the slight Spaniard.
"He's got great technical ability," said Pardew, of Perez.
"I've been fortunate enough to work with great technical players and he has that kind of technique that the top players have.
"But whether he can transfer that into a physical specimen that can deal with this division without taking away his speed and his agility - there's a balance there somewhere.
"But he has improved massively in his strength and when he gets that side of his game then we feel we might have a really good player."
The signing of Perez was the result of some extensive overseas scouting, and Pardew confirmed United fought off the interest of some big clubs when it came to persuading Perez to put pen to paper at St. James' Park.
And, with the journey south to London this weekend to face his former club fast approaching, Newcastle's boss expressed his delight at the speed at which the Spanish Under-21 international has established himself in the first team picture.
"We got lucky a little bit with Perez - we have somebody in Spain who works for us and we got wind of this young player," explained Pardew.
"I don't think he was a mystery - there were some big clubs involved - but we made a special effort with his family and with him to try and secure him, and it's paid off.
"We weren't supremely confident that he would be as big a player as he's become in the last few weeks and he's still got a lot to do, but so far he's done very, very well.
"He's integrated into the group very, very quickly, he's a nice, bright boy and we couldn't be happier with him."
To buy a Newcastle United shirt with Ayoze Perez's name and number on the back, click here.