Negredo: I have to start taking my chances

Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo admits he has to improve after scoring just twice in his first nine appearances of the season.

The former Manchester City striker, who is now into his second season with Los Che, told Goal he’s not happy with his form, but he refused to pin the blame on his manager Nuno Espirito Santo or the system he’s asked to play in.

“It is not difficult to play in this system,” Negredo said. “It’s true that I’m asked to do things which take me away from the goal, but it’s a system which produced results last season.

“We’re not scoring the goals that we would like, but the first thing I have to do is to be self-critical.

“I have to take advantage of my chances and I am not doing that at the moment — even if it’s true there have not been many chances.

“The other day, though, for example, I had a clear chance to score against Athletic Club, the sort that you shouldn’t miss.

“It’s about patience and trying to find better positions. You have to be well placed to score more, which is what every striker wants.”

Negredo also dismissed claims there have been problems in the past between him and Nuno.

On occasions, the 30-year-old has appeared upset at being substituted or left on the bench, but he points out that is part of the game.

“It’s good,” he said when asked about his relationship with the Portuguese coach.

“We are both old enough to look beyond the silly things that get said. At the end of the day, he wants to get the best out of me, performance-wise, and I want to play.

“For that reason, when I don’t play, I’m mad, but if I don’t play as well as expected, then he’ll take me off.

“That’s the only problem that there is, but personally I have nothing against him and I don't think he has anything against me.”