Luuk de Jong insists he can be a Premier League success after poor Newcastle United stint

Luuk de Jong is confident he can score goals in the Premier League even if his time with Newcastle proved a famine.
Luuk De Jong in action for Newcastle United.Luuk De Jong in action for Newcastle United.
Luuk De Jong in action for Newcastle United.

The Netherlands striker has shown his scoring touch with 58 goals in two seasons back in Holland for PSV.

And De Jong gave a glimpse of his finishing skills with a super header for the Dutch during Friday night’s 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 25-year-old, who was believed to be the subject of interest from Premier League Southampton, insists he should not be judged on a 12-game stay at Newcastle in 2014, when he failed to find the net.

“It didn’t work out for me at Newcastle,” he said.

“It was only half a season and I played as a No.10, everyone knows I’m a striker.

“If anybody watched the last two seasons at PSV they would have seen how well I played, in the league and the Champions League.

“It has worked out for me really well now as a striker. I’m attacking, I’m in the box a lot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Look at my goal against Ireland, a cross comes in and I was given the chance to score.”

He added in the Daily Mail: “If you don’t score then people are going to judge you and that’s what happened at Newcastle.

“But I only played 45 minutes as a striker, most of the time I was in my own half and nearer my own box.

“I’m still disappointed I couldn’t score for Newcastle and could not be an important player for them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But you never know what the future brings. For now, I’m happy at PSV. But I could definitely score goals in the Premier League. I am a dangerous striker, you can see that.”

The name De Jong still features at St James’s Park.

Elder brother Siem has just completed his second season at the club though Luuk claims he has not had sufficient opportunities.

“It’s hard for my brother, especially because he got no chances to play,” said Luuk who came off the bench at the Aviva Stadium to give the men in orange a draw on Friday night.

“The first year he was injured then didn’t get a chance. I hope he can get stronger and play again.”