Manchester City's Alvaro Negredo aims to live up to 'Beast' nickname and put bite on the Prem
"I think I am a strong player, who can fight and be physical" says £16.5million striker in first interview since move to Blues
Robert Cianflone
Alvaro Negredo is ready to unleash the beast on the Premier League.
Manchester
City’s new £16.5million striker turned down the chance to join
Atletico Madrid, as he believes his blend of technique and tenacity is
perfect for the team being created by Manuel Pellegrini at deposed champions City.
Negredo,
nicknamed the Beast of Vallecas in honour of the working-class district
of Madrid where he was born, looked far from menacing as he coached a
group of kids in Hong Kong during the week.
But, at the age of 27, he is at the very top of his game – and, in his first interview since joining City, he made it clear that he intends to make the most of this opportunity.
“It makes me laugh when they call me the Beast,” said Negredo.
“But, yes, I think I am a strong player, who can fight and be physical.
“I
think I have some qualities that will suit the Premier League. I think
my style suits the game in England, but I also like to believe that I
have good technical ability as well.
“It was my
team-mates who first started calling me the Beast of Vallecas. But it
became so popular that the media in Spain also started to use the
nickname as well.
“I think I can be both the physical
and technical. There are some matches where the physical approach is
important and other games where you can show off your skill.
“I
like to think I am a player with many qualities. I have a strong
all-round game. I am not just a goalscorer, I think I also work hard for
the team and play my part in the game.”
Click here to read our La Liga expert's scouting report on Negredo.
Negredo added: “Mr Pellegrini is known in Spain for the attractive style of his football.
“Whether
he was at Villarreal, Real Madrid or Mallaga, his teams always played
dynamic, attacking football, with style, and I am sure that is why
Manchester City wanted him.
“I am also sure it will be even better at City because of the quality of players he now has to work with.
“The squad is so talented here that there is only one option: to attack.”
Negredo has been a prolific goalscorer with Real Vallecano, Almeria and Sevilla.
And he was part of the Spain squad that was triumphant at Euro 2008.
But his last shot at the big-time with Real
Madrid saw him progress no further than the substitutes’ bench in a
couple of Copa del Rey ties.
Negredo said: “When I
learned of City’s interest from my agent, I took it as a very big
compliment and I immediately wanted to join the club.
“It is true that Atletico Madrid sent an offer to Sevilla, but, once I realised City were keen, I only wanted to join them.
“I wanted to come to the Premier League because I love the way they play in England.
“But
the other big attraction was the Champions League. It excited me when
Sevilla played in Europe, but this is another big step forward.”
Negredo added: “It is true, a few years ago, City were not really known throughout the world as one of the big teams.
“But that changed the day that Aguero scored that famous goal to win the title.
“My
first objective is to get a lot of minutes on the pitch, play a lot of
matches and then win back my place in the Spanish team and go to the
World Cup.
“I think I can achieve this with City.”
Getty
Alvaro Negredo was speaking at the Premier
League Community Festival during the Barclays Asia Trophy, where he
helped Manchester City coaches to teach young footballers in Hong Kong.
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