Siem De Jong has starred on loan at PSV Eindhoven meaning he could earn another chance at Newcastle United.
You can understand why Siem De Jong was left pulling his hair out at St James’ Park. After evolving into one of Europe’s most talented young central midfielders, the former Ajax captain saw his Premier League dream turn sour with a never-ending series of injuries, NRC reports.
From a collapsed lung to a long-term thigh injury via an incident with a contact lens that left blood pouring from his eye, De Jong was crying out for a lucky break that never arrived.
After just four Premier League appearances in his debut season and 18 the year after, the 28-year-old returned to Holland on a season-long loan with PSV Eindhoven in the summer.
And De Jong admits that his lack of regular action left him frustrated in England.
“Injuries are never good, but mine were very poorly timed,” the £6 million midfielder said. “In the year you are purchased, you are all year injured.
“But I’m professional. When I play 90 minutes, I give 100 per cent. It’s the same if I play one minute too.
“I felt fed up [sitting on the bench], but that should not affect your motivation. It was sometimes frustrating, but at the same time you work out that you try to still see the game and how you can influence it.”
De Jong has certainly rediscovered that knack for influencing games in his homeland. Subjected to boos from PSV supporters before Christmas due to his Ajax connections, De Jong has now turned those jeers into cheers with six goals in ten Eredivisie starts.
As such, the former Dutch international believes he has earned himself a second chance at Newcastle, as reported by The Chronicle. And with manager Rafael Benitez desperate for a goal-scoring midfielder, De Jong could finally show exactly why they signed him.
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