What Ayoze Perez has said since leaving Leicester
Leicester City loaned and wantaway Ayoze Perez has spoken about his transfer to Real Betis. Here is what the player said and what we think.
The King Power club’s ‘Ayo’ exited the side on deadline day, joining Real Betis on loan until the end of the season. At that point, the player’s contract will expire and he shall become a free agent for anyone to sign: clubs are currently now able to talk about contracts with the player and his agent.
So, we can all guess why the player wanted to leave and why the Foxes were prepared to sanction an exit. At the time, Marc Albrighton and Perez were to be allowed to exit as Brendan Rodgers believed he was getting Tete and up until the closing hours Jack Harrison. These players would have been significantly better than Perez who would have even less game time.
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Leicester City loanee cryptic message
According to Sport Witness, the Spanish forward had some choice words over the transfer. First, ‘Ayo’ commented on why Real Betis over Villarreal:
"“coming to Betis has always been my priority since I had contact with Manuel (Pellegrini). At this point in my career… because of all that it means for me sportingly”"
It seems Perez wanted more playtime. This much is understandable, and obviously the Betis head coach made the Spaniard feel he would get more game time and a chance to prove himself ahead of the summer transfer window. The player went on to make what I believe to be a cryptic message for Rodgers:
"“At this point in my career… I needed to feel the coach’s support and desire to have me in his team. For me that was the main thing beyond the details of the contract… It was the trigger to come here”"
The Spanish club wanted him in the team. This is what made Perez choose to leave, and specifically choose Real Betis. A head coach expressed his support for the player, for having Ayo in his team, and for providing the support for him in the later stage of his career.
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This is what Rodgers and Leicester City did not show. He was not wanted in the first team apart from in chance moments where injuries forced the Foxes’ hand. Without regular game time, in absence of support, the Spaniard felt unwanted, and so wanted to leave. Not really as cryptic as I thought, it is much more on the nose.