For me, Ayoze Perez got too much unfair stick during certain spells of his five-year stint on Tyneside – especially for a player who scored 35 goals in his last three seasons at the club.
That said, he sometimes had a tendency to go missing in games, look too lightweight and could be a patchy player, highlighted by the fact 11 of his 13 goals in his final year on Tyneside came in the second half of 2018/19.
He earned a £30m move to the King Power Stadium last summer and it seems Foxes fans have now turned on the Spaniard. He was sometimes a scapegoat at St James’ Park and he’s now being targeted on social media following Leicester’s 0-3 hammering to West Ham last time out.
Here’s what we found on Twitter – with some even calling for the club to ‘get rid’ on deadline day last monday:
Get Ayoze Perez out of my football club he is absolutely useless.
If we can find a buyer for Perez today, then get rid! He’s been **** since signing, had one good game against Southampton and done nothing else.
I just don’t get Perez at all…Brings nothing. Does nothing.
Get that fairy Perez off the pitch, can’t stay on his feet for 5 seconds.
What a waste of money too. Our signings are generally good. Not this one.. get rid and get a forward in!!
About time for Perez had spell to the bench, ineffective again today. Always Looks better as a forward when Vardy doesn’t play.
Woeful today by LCFC, dire passing, reality check from last weekends result. Perez again a bystander.
Can someone please explain to me what Perez offers?? Not blaming today’s shambles on him but asking generally.
Ayoze Perez poor again. Said that before.
Ayoze Perez plays like when you’re controller disconnects mid-game, but it lasts the whole 90 minutes.
Perez is a complete waste of time #LCFC … absolute joke that he cost £30m!
Easy to rip into Perez isn’t it but the truth is, he’s ******* dreadful.
Perez has to come off, such a frustrating footballer.
Ayoze ‘End of the Move’ Perez can get in the ******* bin.
Perez isn’t good enough is he ?
Perez literally falls over or gets bullied off the ball everytime..get him off
Perez has given the ball away 379 times in 25 mins….
Again, I feel like some of the criticism he received at Newcastle was over the top for a player who got into double figures THREE seasons running, but it must be said that he went through patches of offering very little – and that may sometimes stand out in a Leicester side full of quality.
It’s also interesting that, despite playing 40 times for a Leicester City side that spent most of last season in and around the top 4, he only scored eight goals in all competitions – his worst tally since 2016 after 13 (18/9), 10 (17/18) and 12 goals (16/17) in his last few years on at Newcastle.
Did we play a blinder getting £30m for the inconsistent Spaniard, or do you believe he’s the 27-year-old will come good yet in under Brendan Rodgers?
One way or another, he’s clearly at a crossroads with Leicester City fans in what could turn out to be a big season for his career in the Premier League.
I remember Lascelles in 2016-17 had a few poor games and was picking up some stick.
Turns out the lad had been playing with a double hernia … I`m not sure how you can play a high impact sport like professional football in that condition.
The lad was an absolute hero but nobody knew …
A player like Perez needs his reactions and acceleration to be close to 100% to beat defenders or he becomes a liability, easily dispossessed.
Any injury and his skill advantage is gone.
Who knows?
Some fans are harsh.
g f(Quote)
Perez is a fair weather footballer. If the temperature drops below 18 degrees then forget it. He always only came to life in the last 2 months of the season – just check out when he scored his goals.
Tony Toon(Quote)
“…he sometimes had a tendency to go missing in games”.
Sorry like, but he had a tendency to go missing for half a season.
sickandtired(Quote)
Never known any toon footballer called more than Perez! Complete strangers in bars / toilets would have a go most games.
Definitely got the ability but goes missing for months, think he’s waiting for his move to Barca/R Madrid lol
Jon(Quote)
Quite a good footballing brain but slow and thus easily dispossessed. No power in shot – did he ever score beyond 12 yds. Inflated ability of himself. Never made, let alone won, a tackle
Kevin Walsh(Quote)
look at the picture he does that stupid fingers in the ears celebration which means he’s not listening to the fans’ criticism and for me that’s why I can’t stand him. One of his team mates even copies it, obviously too THICK to realise he is dissing the fans. Jesus some footballers are thick.
For his constant disregard to his club fans he deserves all the stick he is getting. Idiot.
mactoon(Quote)
Greetings NUFC’s as a Leicester fan, just want to wish you all well.
I avoid Twitter comments like the plague and it’s not a fair representation of us fans (or any club for that matter). He gets unfair stick because he does put the hard work in and he does create chances. We recognised it when we had Shinji Okazaki; perhaps people are recognising less in Ayoze because we won the league with Okazaki.
As you mentioned, Leicester spent most of the season in top 4, with him making 40 appearances – it’s no accident we were there because of his contribution.
The majority seems to look past all that and will judge him by goals & assists, which I guess is the reality. It might be a different story if we played him as a centre forward, rather than a winger.
I know I’m the minority but I value what he does. He’s no Riyad Mahrez but he does put the work in. Funnily enough, Mahrez was one of our most laziest players but fans won’t comment about him on that. £30m might seem excessive to some but he played 40 times and we finished 5th, I think that tells a story, as a decent investment.
Stay safe & hope you guys have a solid season.
Ash
Ash(Quote)
He’s ***** and always will be! The reason Newcastle fans get a lot of stick is mainly because of clueless idiots that think he’s good..!! Usually the same people that beat one off over Shola and Dummet.
Steve(Quote)
Poor player
Watched him a few times for Leicester
£30m kighway robbery
Tony(Quote)
Thanks for that Ash. Interesting assessment.
Good luck for the season, mate!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)