Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino has admitted that he is "learning a lot" from manager Rafael Benitez, who he is grateful to for giving him a chance.
The 21-year-old turned his initial season-long loan at St James' Park into a permanent deal earlier this month, joining from German side Borussia Dortmund in an £8m transfer.
Merino admits that he never truly felt wanted at the Westfalenstadion, where he was restricted to just two league starts last season, but he is more than happy with life at Newcastle and is eager to prove his worth in the hope of earning a Spain call-up.
"At Dortmund I didn't have the confidence of the coach," he told The Guardian. "I'm the same player as last year but here the manager trusts me. That's the main difference. We're a young squad and the most important thing is that we all trust each other. I'm learning a lot from Rafa.
"I always had ability to read games but I'm understanding more now. He looks after the small tactical details and teaches you how every single little thing can be important. In training he's very professional and expects you to be completely focused, but off the pitch Rafa's a really nice guy. He always takes care of you.
"Spain? It's probably not ready to happen right now but I hope to be in the squad in the near future. I think I can achieve that playing for Newcastle; why not? Growing up in Spain you're expected to play tiki-taka and I like that type of football but I can do other things too. I want to be good with the ball but I'm tall and quite physical and I'm trying to be a complete midfielder.
"In Spain you learn that football has to be played in the head; it's not only running and physical things. 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 settled well in his new surroundings since joining in the summer, featuring in all nine Premier League games to date.
Daniel Lewis
