Michu Explained

Michu
Fullname:Miguel Pérez Cuesta[1]
Birth Date:21 March 1986[2]
Birth Place:Oviedo, Spain
Height:1.85 m
Position:Striker, attacking midfielder
Youthyears1:1994–2003
Youthclubs1:Oviedo
Years1:2003–2007
Caps1:95
Goals1:13
Years2:2007–2008
Caps2:28
Goals2:10
Years3:2008–2011
Caps3:101
Goals3:14
Years4:2011–2012
Caps4:37
Goals4:15
Years5:2012–2015
Caps5:52
Goals5:20
Years6:2014–2015
Clubs6:→ Napoli (loan)
Caps6:3
Goals6:0
Years7:2015–2016
Caps7:13
Goals7:10
Years8:2016–2017
Caps8:27
Goals8:1
Totalcaps:356
Totalgoals:83
Nationalyears1:2013
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0

Miguel Pérez Cuesta (born 21 March 1986), known as Michu (pronounced as /es/), is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker or attacking midfielder.

He started playing for Real Oviedo, subsequently representing Celta and Rayo Vallecano, making his La Liga debut with the latter in 2011–12. In 2012 he signed with Swansea City, scoring 22 goals in all competitions in his first season and winning the League Cup.

Despite performances that earned him an international debut for Spain in 2013, Michu fell out of favour at Swansea due to several injury problems, being loaned to Napoli and released in November 2015. He appeared for Langreo and Oviedo before retiring.

Club career

Oviedo and Celta

Michu was born in Oviedo, Asturias.[3] After beginning with local Real Oviedo in the lower leagues, he moved to Celta de Vigo B of Segunda División B in the middle of 2007; midway through his first season he received his maiden first-team callup, eventually finishing in the starting XI of the Segunda División side.[4]

In mid-January 2010, a transfer to La Liga with Sporting de Gijón in order to replace Birmingham City-bound Míchel was almost arranged, but it eventually fell through and Michu stayed at Celta.[5] In his last two second-tier campaigns, he totalled 12 goals for the Galicians.[6] [7]

On 8 June 2011, after helping the club to sixth position in the regular season, Michu netted the game's only goal in the first leg of the promotion play-offs against Granada CF, at home;[8] in the second leg, however, he missed his penalty shootout attempt and his team was eliminated (5–4).[9]

Rayo Vallecano

On 27 July 2011, after his contract with Celta expired, Michu signed a two-year deal with Rayo Vallecano, newly promoted to the top division.[10] He made his debut in the competition on 28 August, in a 1–1 away draw with Athletic Bilbao.[11]

Michu was one of the best national scorers in his first season (joint-ninth overall, best in the midfielder position),[12] notably scoring braces against Real Sociedad (4–0 home win),[13] Racing de Santander (4–2, home),[14] CA Osasuna (6–0, home)[15] and Real Madrid, the latter albeit in a 6–2 away loss.[16]

Swansea City

On 20 July 2012, Michu signed a three-year contract with Premier League side Swansea City for a fee of £2 million.[17] Following the departure of Gylfi Sigurðsson, the club was looking for someone to fill the gap behind the striker in their 4–2–3–1 formation.[18] He was given the number 9 shirt upon his transfer, and subsequently began featuring as a striker.[19]

On his league debut on 18 August 2012, Michu scored twice and provided an assist for Scott Sinclair in a 5–0 away victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.[20] The first of his goals was also the first scored in the new top-flight season,[21] and he later described his debut as "incredible".[22]

Michu stayed atop the scoring charts by netting the second in a 3–0 home defeat of West Ham United on 25 August,[23] and the second in the 2–2 draw against Sunderland the following matchday.[24]

Michu scored his first FA Cup goal on 6 January 2013, coming off the bench in an eventual 2–2 home draw against Arsenal in the third round and finding the net a mere 73 seconds after entering the pitch.[25] He followed this with another in his team's 2–0 win at Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Football League Cup.[26]

On 23 January 2013, Michu signed a new four-year contract.[27] On 24 February he scored the second in a 5–0 victory over Bradford City to help the side to win the League Cup for the first time in their history,[28] in what was his 19th official goal of the campaign.[29] he was subsequently named the team's Player of the Year, as well as the supporters Player of the Year.[30]

Michu scored Swansea's first goal of 2013–14 on 1 August 2013, in the club's 4–0 home win against Malmö FF in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.[31] In the play-off tie against FC Petrolul Ploiești later that month, he netted the second in a 5–1 victory, also at home.[32] However, injuries limited his impact for much of the season.[33] [34]

Loan to Napoli and injuries

On 17 July 2014, Michu moved on loan to SSC Napoli of Serie A, with the option of a permanent move.[35] He made his debut for his new team on 31 August, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Lorenzo Insigne in a 2–1 win at Genoa.[36]

A recurrence of his ankle injury meant that Michu could only play six competitive matches for the Italians,[37] [38] and having not appeared for Swansea since April 2014, he was released on 9 November 2015 through a financial settlement, with his contract due to expire the following summer.[39]

Later career

Immediately after leaving Swansea, Michu joined Asturian amateurs UP Langreo.[40] On 19 August 2016, he returned to his first club Oviedo, signing a one-year deal.[41]

Michu officially announced his retirement from professional football on 25 July 2017 at the age of 31, due to the 'situation of [his] right ankle'.[34] [42] [43] [44] The previous week, he commented that he would like to stay connected with football.[45]

Along with players such as Roque Santa Cruz and Amr Zaki, Michu was described as a 'one-season wonder' by sports outlets due to his performances in 2012–13 followed by his rapid decline thereafter.[46] [47] [48] [49] [50]

International career

On 22 December 2012, courtesy of his performances with Swansea, Vicente del Bosque said that Michu would play for Spain for the first time in a friendly with Uruguay on 6 February of the following year.[51] However, he did not make the final squad for that match.[52]

Michu was finally called up to the national team on 6 October 2013, as a replacement for the injured David Villa.[53] He made his debut five days later, starting in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Belarus in Palma de Mallorca (2–1 win).[54]

Post-retirement

On 3 June 2018, Michu was appointed as director of football of Langreo, where his brother acted as head coach.[55] He left the position on 3 April 2019, to become the technical secretary of Oviedo.[56] In December that year, he agreed to terminate his contract to join Burgos CF in the former capacity.[57]

In 2022, Michu stated that he was still struggling with chronic pain after retirement, claiming that his 'ankle is that of a 90-year-old' despite undergoing several surgeries.[58]

Personal life

In November 2012, along with fellow Premier League stars Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata, Michu bought shares in former club Oviedo as they struggled to raise €2 million to stay afloat in the Spanish third division.[59] He spoke to the official Swansea website about his love for his former club and the decision saying, "It's my local club, a club I love, so I hope it will be enough."[60]

Michu's older brother Hernán was also a footballer. A midfielder, he too was developed at Oviedo before playing for local sides and subsequently switching to a managerial role; both worked together at Langreo in 2015–16.[61]

Career statistics

Club

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Oviedo2003–04[62] Tercera División12300———123
2004–05[63] Tercera División21400——7[64] 2286
2005–06[65] Segunda División B31330———343
2006–07[66] [67] Segunda División B31300——2[68] 1334
Total951330——9310716
Celta B2007–08[69] Segunda División B281000———2810
Celta2007–08Segunda División14100———141
2008–09[70] Segunda División26120———281
2009–10[71] Segunda División30662———368
2010–11[72] Segunda División31610——2[73] 1347
Total1011492——2111217
Rayo Vallecano2011–12[74] La Liga371522———3917
Swansea City2012–13[75] Premier League35182163——4322
2013–14[76] Premier League17200007[77] 4—246
Total5220216374—6728
Napoli (loan)2014–15[78] Serie A3000—3[79] 0—60
Langreo2015–16[80] Tercera División131000——4[81] 21712
Oviedo2016–17[82] Segunda División27112———283
Career total3568317763104156404103

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[83]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain201310
Total10

Honours

Swansea City

2012–13[28]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Barclays Premier League squad numbers 2013/14. Premier League. 16 August 2013. 17 August 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130821225359/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2013-14/aug/premier-league-squad-numbers-seasons-2013-14.html. 21 August 2013.
  2. Web site: Michu. Eurosport. 18 October 2020.
  3. News: El entrenador del Swansea confirma que Michu no volverá a jugar con el equipo. Swansea manager confirms Michu will not play with team again. La Nueva España. es. 14 July 2015. 24 January 2023.
  4. News: El Celta inicia su proyecto de futuro atando a Michu hasta el año 2011. Celta start their project for the future by tying Michu until the year 2011. La Voz de Galicia. X.R.. Castro. es. 25 April 2008. 24 January 2023.
  5. News: Michu no irá al Sporting de Gijón. Michu will not go to Sporting de Gijón. Faro de Vigo. es. 16 January 2010. 9 June 2011.
  6. News: De repente, Michu. All of a sudden, Michu. Noticias de Navarra. es. 20 November 2011. 24 January 2023.
  7. Web site: Michu: Un gigantón asturiano con mucha clase.. Michu: Asturian tower with a lot of class.. Fame Celeste. Txema. Ereaga. es. 24 November 2012. 24 January 2023.
  8. News: Michu salió del banquillo para poner al Celta en el buen camino. Michu came from the bench to lead the way for Celta. Marca. Gregorio. García. es. 8 June 2011. 9 June 2011.
  9. News: Agonía en Los Cármenes. Agony at Los Cármenes. El País. es. 12 June 2011. 24 January 2023.
  10. Web site: Rayo Vallecano: acuerdo con Michu. Rayo Vallecano: agreement with Michu. esFutbol. es. 27 July 2011. 4 August 2011.
  11. Web site: Solid return for Vallecano. ESPN Soccernet. 28 August 2011. 18 June 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614195127/http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?cc=5739&id=324017. 14 June 2018.
  12. Web site: Michu empieza a dejar huella. Michu starting to leave his mark. UEFA. es. 12 December 2012. 24 January 2023.
  13. Web site: Martinez red spurs Rayo. https://archive.today/20130102213646/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323926&cc=5739. dead. 2 January 2013. ESPN Soccernet. 6 November 2011. 18 June 2012.
  14. Web site: Rayo comeback stuns Racing. https://archive.today/20130102193543/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323800&cc=5739. dead. 2 January 2013. ESPN Soccernet. 3 March 2012. 18 June 2012.
  15. Web site: Osasuna hit for six. ESPN Soccernet. 7 April 2012. 18 June 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120411074805/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323744&cc=5739. 11 April 2012.
  16. Web site: Ronaldo revels in Rayo rout. https://archive.today/20120729183619/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=323980&cc=5739. dead. 29 July 2012. ESPN Soccernet. 24 September 2011. 18 June 2012.
  17. News: Swansea City sign Michu from Rayo Vallecano for £2m. The Guardian. Tom. Lutz. 20 July 2012. 20 July 2012.
  18. Web site: Swans sign 'bargain' Michu. Sky Sports. 20 July 2012. 21 July 2012.
  19. News: Swansea striker Michu will play against Chelsea despite booking threat. The Independent. Andrew. Gwilym. 4 November 2012. 4 November 2012. live. subscription. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/swansea-striker-michu-will-play-against-chelsea-despite-booking-threat-8277433.html. 14 May 2022.
  20. Web site: QPR 0–5 Swansea. BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. 15 September 2020.
  21. Web site: QPR 0–5 Swansea City: Glorious Swans off to dream start. Wales Online. 18 August 2012. 15 September 2020.
  22. Web site: Michu thriving at Swansea. Sky Sports. Francisco. Acedo. 22 August 2012. 24 August 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120825200513/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/23370/8009436/Michu-thriving-at-Swansea. 25 August 2012.
  23. Web site: Swansea impress again. https://web.archive.org/web/20120828013659/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=345824&cc=5901. dead. 28 August 2012. ESPN Soccernet. 25 August 2012. 25 August 2012.
  24. Web site: Swansea City 2–2 Sunderland. ESPN FC. 2 September 2012. 10 September 2012.
  25. Web site: Graham to the rescue again. ESPN FC. 6 January 2013. 6 January 2013.
  26. Web site: Chelsea 0–2 Swansea. BBC Sport. Gary. Rose. 9 January 2013. 17 January 2013.
  27. Web site: Michu signs four-year contract with Swansea City. BBC Sport. 23 January 2013. 23 January 2013.
  28. Web site: Bradford 0–5 Swansea. BBC Sport. Phil. McNulty. 24 February 2013. 25 February 2013.
  29. Web site: Bantams battered by Swans. ESPN FC. 25 February 2013. 26 February 2013.
  30. Web site: Magic Michu steals the show. Swansea City A.F.C.. 16 May 2013. 24 January 2023.
  31. News: Swansea City 4 Malmo 0 match report: Wilfried Bony quick to find his range in Europa League qualifier. The Independent. Matt. Lloyd. 2 August 2013. 15 September 2020. live. subscription. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/swansea-city-4-malmo-0-match-report-wilfried-bony-quick-to-find-his-range-in-europa-league-qualifier-8742915.html. 14 May 2022.
  32. Web site: Swansea too strong for Petrolul Ploiesti after 5–1 win in Europa League. Sky Sports. 22 August 2013. 22 August 2013.
  33. News: Michu joins Napoli on season-long loan from Swansea. The Guardian. 17 July 2014. 11 January 2023.
  34. Web site: Michu: Ex-Swansea forward retires after long injury struggle. BBC Sport. 17 July 2017. 11 January 2023.
  35. Web site: Swansea's Michu joins Napoli on season loan with option to buy. BBC Sport. 17 July 2014. 17 July 2014.
  36. Web site: Genoa 1–2 Napoli: Dramatic De Guzman strike seals victory. Goal. Stewart. Weir. 31 August 2014. 31 August 2014.
  37. Web site: Michu: 'Injury nightmare over'. Football Italia. Susy. Campanale. 3 April 2015. 10 November 2015.
  38. Web site: Swansea City: What next for on-loan Napoli forward Michu?. BBC Sport. Dafydd. Pritchard. 10 April 2015. 10 November 2015.
  39. Web site: Michu: Swansea City release forward from contract. BBC Sport. 9 November 2015. 9 November 2015.
  40. News: Michu, volver a empezar. Michu, starting over. Marca. Fabián. Torres. es. 10 November 2015. 10 November 2015.
  41. Web site: Michu, nuevo jugador del Real Oviedo. Michu, new player of Real Oviedo. Real Oviedo. es. 19 August 2016. 19 August 2016.
  42. Web site: Ankle injury forces former Swansea City striker Michu into retirement. ESPN. 25 July 2017. 11 January 2023.
  43. Web site: Swansea cult hero Michu reveals ankle injury forced him to retire in emotional letter to 'football'. Sports Illustrated. 25 July 2017. 11 January 2023.
  44. News: Michu anuncia su retirada con una emotiva carta: "Gracias eternas amigo fútbol". Michu announces his retirement with an emotional letter: "Forever thanks my friend football". Marca. Adrián. Valero. es. 25 July 2017. 25 July 2017.
  45. Web site: Former Swansea City forward Michu retires from professional football. Inside Welsh Football. Jordan. Jones. 16 July 2017. 16 July 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170720171000/http://www.insidewelshfootball.co.uk/loved-swansea-forward-michu-retires/. 20 July 2017.
  46. Web site: Remembering Michu, one of the Premier League's greatest one-season wonders. SB Nation. Kim. McCauley. 9 November 2015. 12 November 2023.
  47. Web site: Michu, Amr Zaki, Roque Santa Cruz – Premier League one-season wonders. Sky Sports. Lewis. Jones. 11 November 2015. 11 January 2023.
  48. News: Michu and 7 other Premier League one-season wonders who took English football by storm. Daily Mirror. Nathan. Ridley. 21 March 2022. 12 November 2023.
  49. Web site: One-season wonders: the players who lit up the Premier League – then burned out. FourFourTwo. Joe. Brewin. 21 July 2022. 11 January 2023.
  50. Web site: Michu: Greatest One Season Wonder in Premier League history?. 888 Sport. Sam. Cox. 14 August 2023. 12 November 2023.
  51. Web site: Spain job will be my last, says Del Bosque. Goal. Livio. Caferoglu. 22 December 2012. 28 December 2012.
  52. News: Del Bosque: "De momento no encontramos sitio a Michu y Aspas". Del Bosque: "No place for Michu and Aspas at the moment". Marca. es. 1 February 2013. 1 February 2013.
  53. Web site: Swansea's Michu earns first Spain call-up for final World Cup qualifiers. Sky Sports. 6 October 2013. 6 October 2013.
  54. News: Paso al campeón. Champions coming through. Marca. Tomás. Campos. es. 11 October 2013. 12 October 2013.
  55. News: Michu, nuevo director deportivo de la UP Langreo. Michu, new director of football of UP Langreo. Diario AS. es. 3 July 2018. 4 July 2018.
  56. Web site: Miguel Pérez Cuesta "Michu" becomes the new Real Oviedo technical secretary. Real Oviedo. 3 April 2019. 16 June 2019.
  57. News: Michu tendrá en Burgos un equipo de trabajo muy carbayón. Michu will have quite the carbayón (nickname of Oviedo) staff in Burgos. La Voz de Asturias. Pablo. Fernández. es. 19 December 2019. 5 November 2021.
  58. News: The mystery of Michu has a happy ending. The Daily Telegraph. Dani. Gil. 3 November 2022. 24 January 2023.
  59. Web site: Chelsea and Arsenal stars team up to buy ailing Spanish club. https://archive.today/20130110221422/http://www.givemefootball.com/european-news/chelsea-and-arsenal-stars-team-up-to-buy-ailing-sp?state=00cae4ebd79540569b31a9952e36dbe0. dead. 10 January 2013. Give Me Football. Pete. South. 7 November 2012. 8 November 2012.
  60. Web site: Michu answers a Real SOS back home. Swansea City A.F.C.. 7 November 2012. 8 November 2012.
  61. News: El Madrid ficha para dirigir el Juvenil al hermano de Michu. Madrid sign brother of Michu to manage the Juvenil. Diario AS. Carlos. Forjanes. es. 1 July 2021. 15 June 2022.
  62. Web site: Temporada 2003/04. 2003/04 season. RealOviedo.info. es. 4 June 2023.
  63. Web site: Temporada 2004/05. 2004/05 season. RealOviedo.info. es. 4 June 2023.
  64. Six appearances and one goal in Copa Federación de España, one appearance and one goal in Tercera División play-offs
  65. Web site: Michu: Miguel Pérez Cuesta: 2005–06. BDFutbol. 28 December 2013.
  66. Web site: Michu: Miguel Pérez Cuesta: 2006–07. BDFutbol. 28 December 2013.
  67. Web site: Temporada 2006/07. 2006/07 season. RealOviedo.info. es. 4 June 2023.
  68. Appearances in Copa Federación de España
  69. Web site: Michu: Miguel Pérez Cuesta: 2007–08. BDFutbol. 28 December 2013.
  70. Web site: Michu: Miguel Pérez Cuesta: 2008–09. BDFutbol. 28 December 2013.
  71. Web site: Michu: Miguel Pérez Cuesta: 2009–10. BDFutbol. 28 December 2013.
  72. Web site: Michu: Miguel Pérez Cuesta: 2010–11. BDFutbol. 28 December 2013.
  73. Appearances in Segunda División play-offs
  74. Web site: Michu: Miguel Pérez Cuesta: 2011–12. BDFutbol. 28 December 2013.
  75. Web site: Games played by Michu in 2012/2013. Soccerbase. 28 December 2013.
  76. Web site: Games played by Michu in 2013/2014. Soccerbase. 28 December 2013.
  77. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  78. Web site: Michu. Soccerway. 17 December 2014.
  79. Appearances in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League
  80. Web site: Michu. La Preferente. 5 January 2017.
  81. Appearances in Tercera División play-offs
  82. Web site: Michu » Club matches. Worldfootball. 5 January 2017.
  83. Web site: Michu. European Football. 11 September 2015.
  84. Web site: The story of Michu's incredible Swansea City roller-coaster – three years after the Spaniard signed. Wales Online. Simon. Gaskell. 21 July 2015. 1 November 2023.

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