Negredo: I still follow Man City

Manchester City’s Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo has revealed that he still has a soft spot for the Citizens in his heart and keeps a watchful eye on their results. The former Real Madrid striker signed for City in 2013 from Sevilla in a deal worth £16.4 million plus add-ons.

Negredo had a blistering start to life in the north-west of England, amassing 26 goals in his first 36 appearences for the club. However, a shoulder injury which he sustained in January hampered his progress and disrupted his maiden campaign in Sky Blue heavily.

His injury problems coupled with Edin Dzeko’s rise to prominence in the latter half of the campaign resulted in Negredo falling way down the pecking order at the Etihad, and ultimately being shipped back to Spain.

However, the striker has stated that regular playing time was not the only issue which influenced his decision to leave. His homesickness also played an instrumental part in his exit from Manchester. Negredo also revealed that he still follows City adventures in the Premier League and has a place for them in his heart.

The Spaniard  was thankful to the fans and appreciated the ‘wonderful’ support he got from them. The Real Madrid academy product said;

"I still follow Man City. I have many friends there and I am happy with what they are doing. I learned a lot and won some titles there so, of course, they are still in my heart.It was very difficult. I waited to the last hour before leaving but I was feeling a bit homesick. It was good for me to go back to Spain but it was very difficult to leave Manchester City as the fans have always been wonderful to me.Homesickness is not the whole reason. I needed more playing time to build up my performance levels after my shoulder injury. With my way of playing I did not feel I was getting the same opportunity so I left."

Now plying his trade at the Mestalla with Valencia, the striker is expected to make his loan switch permanent in the summer. He has scored 3 goals in 18 appearences this season for the Los Che.