Moleiro is Villarreal’s top scorer, makes case for season MVP | OneFootball

Moleiro has ended the first half of his debut Villarreal campaign as the club’s leading scorer, producing centre-forward numbers from midfield.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Villarreal paid 16 million to UD Las Palmas last summer for the 22-year-old under-21 international, and he has begun to repay that investment. Many expected him to replace Álex Baena, but neither he nor the club invited comparisons.

Against Deportivo Alavés on Saturday, a 3-1 win, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife native scored and set up another. He now has eight goals, ahead of Mikautadze, Buchanan and Gerard Moreno on five apiece. He also leads Villarreal for assists with three, level with Mikautadze, Ayoze and Sergi Cardona.

In raw output, Moleiro is outstripping Baena’s numbers in his own first term, the Almería-born player now at Atlético.

He said he was very satisfied with that display and that he tries not to overthink, but enjoyed the strike and helping Villarreal’s LaLiga momentum.

Moleiro admitted he had not expected this scoring run and aims to nudge his statistics up each year. He bettered last season’s six and hopes to add more.

Since arriving, he says Marcelino has asked for less frills and more end product, and the coach has sharpened his defensive work. Moleiro wants to help in any way, through goals, assists or graft without the ball.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo