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Siem de Jong says he is still in shock at international call-up

7 years ago
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Siem de Jong says he is still in shock after joining up with the rest of the Netherlands squad at their hotel.

The Newcastle star said that getting back into the national team’s set-up was one of his goals when joining PSV on loan but never for one moment thought it would come so soon.

Siem de Jong started only four league matches in two years at Newcastle United thanks to various injuries and indifferent form/fitness.

The player says he wanted to ‘play a lot of matches’ for PSV to try and catch Danny Blind’s eye but instead it has happened after only two first team sub appearances in the  Dutch league and Champions League, one start in a cup game when he was subbed in the second half. Then the rarest thing of all, completing all 90 minutes in PSV’s 1-1 draw at Heerenveen on Saturday.

This was a special moment for the brothers as Luuk and Siem de Jong made a bit of history, starting a competitive match together in the same team for the first time ever.

Siem de Jong says ‘Too bad’ that his call-up has happened because of injury to other players, ironically his brother Luuk one who has had to pull out with a concussion.

Holland play World Cup qualifiers against Belarus (Thursday 6 October) and France (Sunday 9 October), with Siem de Jong saying that he hoping for some ‘game time’ in the two qualifiers – now that would be some story in terms of his recovery from this past two years of misery.

The PSV loan player says that Danny Blind has told him that he seem him as an attacking midfielder and ‘as a kind of striker’ as well, a versatility that could maybe help him push for some kind of a contribution in the two matches.

Siem de Jong speaking to AD.NL:

“I never thought it would come so soon – but this was one of my goals when I went to PSV.

“I did not think it would happen so soon but I did have orange have in my head when I went to PSV.

I wanted to play a lot of matches, with the aim to get back to the Dutch team.

“Too bad that it happened because of injuries but nevertheless I am very happy to be here.

“He (Danny Blind) sees me as a kind of striker and also as an attacking midfielder.

“I see this as an opportunity to show what I can do and of course I hope for playing time.”

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