Negredo has improved since Gestede’s arrival, says Boro boss Karanka
The arrival of French striker Rudy Gestede has galvanised Middlesbrough’s main marksman Alvaro Negredo, according to Boro boss Aitor Karanka.
Spaniard Negredo, on loan from Valencia, was dropped in December after Karanka questioned his commitment levels.
However, the Teessiders’ top scorer has started the last 10 matches in the league and Karanka said he has seen a marked improvement in the 31-year-old striker since Gestede arrived in a £6 million move from Aston Villa.
Middlesbrough are currently 16th in the Premier League with 22 points from 25 matches, two points clear of the relegation zone, and beat League One Oxford United on Saturday to progress to the quarter-finals on the FA Cup.
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And the presence of Gestede, who scored in Saturday’s win, means Negredo must work even harder to keep his place in the team, according to the manager.
“He is working well,” Karanka said. “It is not a coincidence that with Rudy here now, there is more pressure on him.
“You could see in the last 10 minutes when Rudy was on the pitch (against Everton), he touched the ball three times and had one chance.
“And now Alvaro feels that pressure – and that has to be good for us. Pressure like that is good for everyone.
“Having Gestede here can be one of the reasons Negredo can improve. At the start of the season, we did not have the squad we have now”.
