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Opinion

Big step forward for Siem de Jong despite 4-1 Champions League defeat

7 years ago
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Not a time for open top bus celebrations but the last few days have been a big step forward for Siem de Jong.

Saturday saw the Newcastle loan player named in the first eleven for the Eredivisie match with Heracles, the midfielder playing 71 minutes until he was forced off with a knock.

Only four days later he was back out on the pitch, starting last night’s Champions League match for PSV.

Yes, only 24 hours after Newcastle were visiting Barnsley in the second tier of English football, Siem de Jong was lining up in the top club competition in the world, against arguably the best team around.

Bayern Munich took an early two goal lead before Narsingh gave PSV hope just before half-time to make it 2-1 at the break, before the German club added two more in the second-half.

However, a bit of a personal triumph for the Newcastle loan player as he did ok in the number 10 role behind brother Luuk and despite PSV using all three subs, Siem de Jong stayed on for the full 90 minutes (plus 3 added ones).

Considering he is still yet to play a full 90 minutes in the league (only two League Cup ones against lower league opposition) for Newcastle United, to play a full Champions League match against top opposition only four days after 71 minutes in the Dutch League, suggests that at last he is getting to the bottom of the match fitness issues (plus the odd injury…) that plagued him at Newcastle.

PSV are home to Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday night so interesting to see if he makes the team once again.

Fingers crossed he keeps progressing in advance of either Newcastle selling him in the summer, or a surprise bonus if deemed good enough at last to be involved at St James Park, whether in the Championship or (hopefully) Premier League.

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