Watford’s Daryl Janmaat has discussed his exit from Newcastle United.
Daryl Janmaat in action with Fulham’s Floyd Ayite
Watford defender Daryl Janmaat has told The Telegraph that Rafael Benitez wanted him to stay at Newcastle, but only wanted players 100% committed to the cause.
Janmaat, 27, joined Newcastle as Mathieu Debuchy’s replacement back in the summer of 2014, having impressed for the Netherlands at Euro 2016.
Daryl Janmaat celebrates scoring for Newcastle
The former Feyenoord star was a regular for Newcastle throughout his time with the club, but the Magpies’ relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season was always bound to throw his future into doubt.
Newcastle started the Championship season with Janmaat still at the club, and he even started their first two games of the season against Fulham and Huddersfield Town.
However, just over a week before the transfer window closed, Janmaat did leave St. James’ Park, making an instant return to the Premier League with Watford, with Sky Sports claiming that the Hornets forked out £7.5m to sign the Dutch international.
Daryl Janmaat looks dejected
Today, Janmaat will line up against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United at Vicarage Road, and ahead of that huge clash this afternoon, Janmaat has discussed his move away from Tyneside with The Telegraph.
Janmaat has revealed that manager Rafael Benitez did want Janmaat to stay, but told him during the transfer window that he only wanted players who were fully committed to the cause, and he eventually decided that he wanted a return to the Premier League once Watford made a move.
The right back added that returning to the top flight was vital for his international career, and with Newcastle receiving a good fee for his services, he feels the move worked out for everybody.
Daryl Janmaat applauds the Newcastle fans
“Benítez wanted me to stay at the beginning but he also knew there was some interest [in me] and he always told me that he only wants players who are ‘100 per cent focused on staying’ so when Watford and other clubs came in then there was a lot of talk,” said Janmaat.
“I thought about it and thought that, yes, I wanted to stay in the Premier League and it was also a factor for me with the national team. It also meant that Newcastle could get money for me so it felt like it was the right thing to do for everyone,” he added.
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