The Ghanaian winger scored his first Newcastle United goal in the 1-0 win at Rotherham.
Christian Atsu is determined to keep his place in the Newcastle United starting XI, as he stated in an interview with nufcTV.
The winger made his first start of the season in the away trip to Rotherham and the Chelsea loanee got the goal to give Newcastle all three points.
The 24-year-old jinked into the box, shifting the ball onto his left foot before curling a glorious effort past Lee Camp. With Newcastle now without a game for two weeks due to the international break, Atsu is hoping that he can keep his place when they return to action.
“Everyone is working to get in the starting lineup, because everyone wants to help the team, and the only way to help the team is to be on the field,” Atsu told nufcTV.
“That’s what I want to do. I’m really working hard to be in the team.”
Atsu moved to the North East on loan in the summer window, but has had to settle for action off the bench until the trip to the New York Stadium.
The Ghana international was handed a chance on the right flank in place of one of Newcastle’s top stars, Matt Ritchie, and took his chance brilliantly, scoring the game’s only goal and proving to be a constant threat with his dribbling ability and pace.
Many Newcastle fans were unsure why one of their best players in Ritchie was sat on the bench, but Atsu’s performance showed just how good the Magpies’ squad is, and that Benitez can be confident in his rotation methods.
However, Atsu will be hoping that he is given the chance to get a run in the starting XI and ensure he is not a victim of Benitez’s rotation.
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