Newcastle signed Spanish fullback Javier Manquillo for £4.5million during the summer transfer window, but an underwhelming Premier League campaign with Sunderland last term meant his arrival didn’t really excite fans.
The 23-year-old has played all but 2 league games this term, gradually establishing himself as a key man in the Toons defence having featured at both left and right-back.
Manquillo attributes his impressive start to life at Saint James’ Park to the feel-at-home environment created by the heavy Spanish presence at the club.
Revealing what has made things better than last term, the Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid youth product claimed: “The coach, the trainers and some of my team-mates. That makes life so much easier for me.
“It benefits me in so many ways. It is really important to have so many from my own country.
“For example in training, when we are doing routines and drills, I know exactly what to do because it is explained so well to me.
“Of course, it is always good when you have players and staff who speak the same language.
“It has really helped me settle in well. There is a great atmosphere around the place.”
Language barrier would have also played its role during Manquillo’s unimpressive loan stints at Liverpool and Marseille.
However, Newcastle appear to be a the perfect destination for the right-back as he’s already proving himself and steadily improving under manager Rafa Benitez.
