Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has credited midfielder Ki Sung-yueng as being vital to the team’s improved form.
The Magpies have won back to back games in recent weeks having not won a Premier League contest prior to their victory over Watford, and Ki has been influential in both wins.
Benitez certainly thinks so: “When we signed him we knew he was a player who is quite good on the ball,” he told the Chronicle. “He can pass well and make the right decisions. That is important for us.
“He has experience too. I think he has more composure on the ball and does well. The experience of Ki for the other players who can play with that confidence can help when we have the ball and making the right decisions or better decisions [than] in the past,” he finished.
OPINION
Ki has certainly reminded the Newcastle fans – and staff – of what he can do in the last couple of games. Mohamed Diame and Jonjo Shelvey have been Benitez’s preferred central midfield partnership this season, but with the latter struggling with injury of late, Ki has been able to come in and prove his worth. He set up Ayoze Perez’s winner against Watford and was in fine fettle again against Bournemouth last time out. Benitez is right, he is calm on the ball and that translates to his team mates. He doesn’t do anything too flashy, he simply uses the ball correctly and helps his team. There is often a whiff of hysteria around Tyneside so having someone like Ki to diffuse the tension on the pitch is vital. It’ll be interesting to see whether he keeps his place once Shelvey returns, or whether the ever-present Diame drops to the bench instead.