Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo says Premier League defenders aren't as cultured as their La Liga counterparts - but admits that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The Spain international has enjoyed a successful start to life at the Etihad Stadium since his summer move from Sevilla, forging a deadly allegiance with Sergio Aguero and netting 12 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions.
And Negredo - featured in the January 2014 issue of FourFourTwo - believes some sides' more direct approaches offer a greater test than those who build patiently from the back.
"Here they’re more aggressive and stronger," he tells FFT. "This isn’t true of everyone, but there isn’t the same culture of playing the ball out from the back here as there is in Spain.
"That’s not a criticism, the style of play is just different. In fact, on some of the smaller pitches it seems a good tactic to get the ball from front to back a bit quicker because it puts pressure on our defence."
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Negredo is wearing the new F50 football boots, part of the Adidas Samba Collection inspired by Brazil. Visit adidas.com or join the conversation at @adidasuk #F50 #allinornothing.
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Andrew Murray is a freelance journalist, who regularly contributes to both the FourFourTwo magazine and website. Formerly a senior staff writer at FFT and a fluent Spanish speaker, he has interviewed major names such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero and Xavi. He was also named PPA New Consumer Journalist of the Year 2015.
