A couple of months ago, one of the more underwhelming signings in Newcastle United’s modern Premier League history hit back at the suggestions that he should be mentioned as a flop in the same breath as Remy Cabella, Claudio Cacapa and Stephane Guivarc’h.
“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 The Guardian. “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, Luuk de Jong is experienced enough to know where things went wrong. This old-school throwback of a targetman 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 first title in six years while claiming the Golden Boot along the way.
The former Barcelona and Sevilla frontman finished joint top with AZ Alkmaar’s Vangelis Pavlidis in the scoring charts – 29 apiece – but managed 15 assists compared to the Greek international’s four. In all competitions, De Jong stumped up a remarkable 38 goals and 18 assists, making him one of the most potent forwards in European football this season.
Veteran striker captains PSV Eindhoven to Eredivisie glory
“You can be proud of having scored 29,” a delighted De Jong tells Voetbal International following the culmination of an outstanding season for both player and club.
“That is the most ever (goals) in my career. That is wonderful. And also a compliment to Pavlidis, that is also very impressive.”
The question is, can De Jong get better still? Will he continue to blossom in his mid-30s, like Robert Lewandowski and Zlatan Ibrahimovic did?
“I still feel good,” De Jong adds. “There are plenty of examples of players who have played at a high level until their late-30s. I think that is certainly still possible. Your body has to keep helping you, it has to keep going well.
“But if I don’t If you get injuries, I think I can certainly last a few more years at this level.”
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