ohhh_yeah 2964 Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 On 7/27/2017 at 0:16 AM, Anorthernsoul said: Looks like he's got a cracking left foot but is good with both, hopefully Rafa has unearthed a gem. Decent little read. Newcastle United were criticised by a large section of the media for their perceived lack of business during the summer transfer window. Rafa Benitez was open with his feelings about the team’s recruitment, but they did manage to improve the squad of the squad after promotion. The Magpies’ boss has always had a good eye for a player and he has proved that he can compete on a budget before. Mikel Merino was a low-key addition, arriving from Borussia Dortmund on an initial season-long loan, but there is a clause to make the deal permanent for £6.5 million if he plays a certain number of games. If that report is correct, it would be a great piece of business for Newcastle as the 21-year-old has already shown himself to be capable of performing well in the Premier League. His value has already increased significantly after the first two months of the season and Dortmund may regret agreeing to the clause. Merino started the season out of the first-team, but Jonjo Shelvey’s red card afforded an opportunity to the Spaniard and he hasn’t looked back. He is a perfect fit for the side, as he is excellent at winning possession back and his intelligent distribution often launches a counter-attack for the Magpies. It has been his reading of the game and aggressive style that has won him a lot of fans in the Premier League. The Spaniard is averaging 3.35 successful tackles and 2.34 interceptions per ninety minutes, out-performing N’Golo Kante who is seen as the best ball-winning midfielder in the Premier League. The Chelsea man is currently averaging 3 successful tackles and 2.29 interceptions per ninety minutes. According to Whoscored, no player has won possession more times than the Newcastle midfielder (35) in the midfield third. As a newly-promoted club, Benitez recognises Newcastle’s limitations and the signing of Merino has facilitated a style of play that suits the team. They look to play without the ball and let the opposition have possession, with the aim of winning it back high up the pitch to play on the counter. For this to be effective, they need to have midfielders that can win the ball back in dangerous areas and the 21-year-old is superb at doing that. The recent match against Liverpool was a test of how good the midfielder is and he passed with flying colours, winning back possession on eight occasions. This was more than any other player on the pitch. Merino is an intelligent footballer, who does a lot more than only win possession. He has more to his game than most ball-winning midfielders as he is effective in possession and very important to Newcastle in transition. Since the beginning of the season, he has averaged 35.8 forward passes and 13.38 backward passes per ninety minutes. This underlines his forward-thinking approach and that he wants to be positive in his distribution. He rarely picks the wrong option and to pass back is a last resort for the 21-year-old. Benitez will be encouraged by this as his side needs to be rapid in transition for the current tactic to be effective. In Merino, he has a player that understands the way that he wants the team to play and for a 21-year-old, the tactical mind of the midfielder is very impressive. There is a lot more to come from the midfielder. He has yet to contribute a single goal or an assist, but he certainly has the ability to improve his attacking influence. Merino is still adapting to the Premier League and that makes his current performance level all the more impressive. Newcastle supporters will be delighted that the Spaniard is all but confirmed to sign on a permanent basis as he is a player that Benitez can build the team around for the future. http://eplindex.com/80952/statistical-breakdown-mikel-merinos-influence-newcastle-united.html 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anorthernsoul 1221 Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Cheers for that mate, top stats and hopefully he can continue to perform well. He's only 21 so has the potential to be a great player for this club. He comfortably dominated against Henderson et al at the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1244 Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 I like the stat about passing the ball forward. You see loads of midfielders these days that are like Colback or Jordan Henderson who just pass sideways or backwards all the time. You can see the difference with Merino. He's mad an excellent start for us, long may it continue. At the moment it only looks like he's going to go better and better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdansmith 3259 Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 4 hours ago, ohhh_yeah said: Decent little read. Nice one, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howay 12496 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 On 10/6/2017 at 11:05 AM, David Kelly said: I like the stat about passing the ball forward. You see loads of midfielders these days that are like Colback or Jordan Henderson who just pass sideways or backwards all the time. You can see the difference with Merino. He's mad an excellent start for us, long may it continue. At the moment it only looks like he's going to go better and better. Aye that’s the biggest positive of him for me outside of his brilliant defensive stats, his passing stats aren’t just padded by a million 5 yard side or back passes, he’s positive and looks to move the ball up the field. The side ways passing craic always reminds me of that useless twat from Swansea, Leon Brittain iirc, where he had a better pass completion than xavi and iniesta so the media blew smoke up his arse when in reality the bloke rarely ever made any sort of effective or positive pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LooneyToony 41 Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 This kid has a chance, a very good chance to be a very special player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdansmith 3259 Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Another cracking goal scored by this fella for Spain u21s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15518 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 OH HELLO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Carr's Gloves 3887 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 2 minutes ago, Meenzer said: OH HELLO Did anyone else read that "Oh hello" in a Kenneth Williams voice? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerbarton 24 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 And he's cost us about £6m? Got to be the best value signing of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anorthernsoul 1221 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 5 minutes ago, Kevin Carr's Gloves said: Did anyone else read that "Oh hello" in a Kenneth Williams voice? Austin Powers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15518 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 I was aiming for Brian Blessed 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonMarshy 2 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Great news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10855 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 That is excellent news. £6m is a snip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wykikitoon 20115 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 41 minutes ago, Meenzer said: I was aiming for Brian Blessed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGingerQuiff 2412 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Fair play to Stavely for making sure this was secured before the takeover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anorthernsoul 1221 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Bit of a mad deal on Dortmund's part, did they believe he wouldn't play? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGingerQuiff 2412 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Not as good as Kirchoff apparently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 4748 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 30 minutes ago, Anorthernsoul said: Bit of a mad deal on Dortmund's part, did they believe he wouldn't play? They've a really good, young midfield already so I guess not. He played a little last season but not a lot iirc, sometimes at CB so he didn't impress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howay 12496 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Chuffed with this, think it’s a good confidence boost for the lad as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slayer 3 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 4 hours ago, rogerbarton said: And he's cost us about £6m? Got to be the best value signing of the season. Ali G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Anorthernsoul said: Bit of a mad deal on Dortmund's part, did they believe he wouldn't play? Tbf they have a lot of quality in the midfield. Think if he carries on like this he will attract attention next season and that will be the test with reg to keeping him. Edited October 13, 2017 by Park Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1244 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 There goes January's budget. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14011 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Fantastic signing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdansmith 3259 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Very happy we have this fella signed permanent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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