Alvaro Negredo key player for Middlesbrough, says Aitor Karanka
Sunday 14 August 2016 19:41, UK
Aitor Karanka hailed Alvaro Negredo as a key player for Middlesbrough after the former Manchester City striker scored on his debut in the 1-1 draw against Stoke.
Negredo opened the scoring in the 11th minute, latching onto Gaston Ramirez's knockdown to head home from close range.
And Karanka is confident Negredo, who scored just five goals for Valencia last season, can rediscover his confidence and become an vital player for Middlesbrough this season.
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"When we signed him [Negredo] he needed to recover his confidence because we've seen he's a top player," Karanka told Sky Sports.
"It's not a coincidence when you've won the Premier League with Man City. He needs to recover that confidence but he's a top player he's confident here.
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"The team knows how important he is and he knows how important the team is for him.
"For that reason he's a really good signing for us."
Middlesbrough ended a seven year absence from the top-flight against Stoke and Karanka was delighted with his side's performance.
"It's been a really good day for us," Karanka added. "Everybody at Middlesbrough has been waiting for this day since we got promoted last May.
"I'm really pleased and maybe we could have won the game but in the end a point is good. The performance, the attitude and the way we played as a team we showed everybody we are a good side.
"We put in a good performance and I'm confident for the future because with this team we can do something good."
Karanka also praised the signing of Fabio, who was in the stands at the Riverside, after the left-back joined from Cardiff City on Friday.
"It's another important signing for us because we need to cover the left-back position and Fabio's a player that knows the Premier League, who can play in different positions," Karanka said.
"He's a good player for us and he knows he's coming into a strong group."
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