Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino believes Spain produces so many good midfielders as they learn to ‘play in the head’.
The 21-year-old Spaniard made his loan move to the English club permanent from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month and scored the winner in Saturday’s victory over Crystal Palace.
“In Spain you learn that football has to be played in the head; it’s not only running and physical things,” Merino said in an interview with The Guardian.
“Spain has always had great central midfielders and, while of course they’re good technically, they’re also very good mentally.
“They know what to do and when, and they’re always thinking about the game and how they can help their team.”
Merino has featured in all nine of the Magpies league matches to date this campaign, starting six and moved for a fee in the region of €7m (£6.5m).
Image via @NUFC
