“Really? (How can I be a flop) when I only played 12 matches and not all of them from the start?,” the Alan Pardew signing told . “And not in my (favoured) position, either? “Oh well, that’s the football world, you know. I was young.
I think I am better armed now to take on Premier League defenders. It’s about your response to adversity – that makes the difference.” Ten years on from that ill-fated loan spell at St James’ Park, is experienced enough to know .
This old-school certainly wasn’t helped by the fact that he was utilised, rather bafflingly, as more of a number ten than a number nine by Pardew, handed the role vacated following Yohan Cabaye’s switch to Paris Saint-Germain. Luuk de Jong didn’t score a goal for Newcastle United “I had to replace midfielder Cabaye,” De Jong recalls. “I usually played behind the striker, which is not my favourite position.
We were often pushed back very far. I barely got (near) to the goal. “I knew that beforehand but you don’t say ‘no’ when you get a chance in the Premier League at such a beautiful, big club.
I would have liked to show more.” With his 34th birthday rapidly approaching, it feels unlikely that De Jong will be afforded the opportunity to pick up where he left off on Tyneside. Any lingering disappointment he feels about that 2013/14 stint at Newcastle will certainly not dampen the joy of Eredivisie glory, however, De Jong captaining PSV Eindhoven to their while claiming the Golden Boo.
