Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is delighted with the early form of Alvaro Negredo.
Real Madrid sold Negredo to Sevilla in 2009 at the start of Pellegrini's brief spell in charge at the Bernabeu but he believes the Spain striker, who cost City £20m this summer, is now at the peak of his powers.
"Negredo was very young when I was at Real Madrid," said the City boss. "In Madrid at that moment were Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuain, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Huntelaar and Negredo so six for two places was too much.
"It was very important for him to continue growing as a player and he signed for Sevilla. It was a very important four years for him.
"I hope we will see the best of Negredo that I saw in Spain for the last eight years. He was a very important striker there and he will be also here in England.
"I think Negredo has the qualities to play not just against Stoke City with those characteristics, but in any game.' 'I think Negredo has the qualities to play not just against Stoke City with those characteristics, but in any game."
