nufc
14th May 2005, 11:06
There have been reports in the press that I'm leaving Newcastle and that I've said I'm going to Spain in the summer. I want to make it clear that I never said that. It was reported in one paper and then everyone else picked up on it, but it isn't true. As I've said before – I want to continue my stay in Newcastle, but my future will be decided after the season ends.
So that means the game against Chelsea on Sunday could be my final match for Newcastle. But I hope it won't be as I feel I have a lot more to show the fans. It's true that my season has been a little bit disappointing. I've had a few little injuries, and I've struggled to get into a rhythm. The same has applied to Nicky Butt, and I feel as a result neither of us have played as well as we might have done. I'm disappointed I haven't played more games. When you are in and out of the side all the time, it's very hard to find your best form - but I hope that next season I will have a better season in the Premiership.
There's no getting away from the fact it's been a poor year for Newcastle in the Premiership. It's up to the club how they will change things to have a good season next year, but I strongly believe that a club with the stature of Newcastle must do better next year. If you look at the record in recent years, we have underachieved in the league. But in terms of the FA Cup, and to a lesser extent the UEFA Cup, we did well, even if we didn't get the trophy that everyone wanted.
I want to continue my stay in Newcastle, but my future will be decided after the season ends.
Even though Chelsea are the champions and we can't win anything, of course we will be giving our all on Sunday. We will be playing for our own professional pride and for the fans too. They pay their money every week and support the club with incredible passion, and we will look to get a victory for them. They would love us to beat Chelsea, and beating Chelsea, who have played so well this season, would be a great achievement for us, and attract a lot of attention.
Talking about Chelsea, the highlight of my season was the goal I scored against them in the FA Cup. I wish there could have been more like that – but don't forget, I had goals against both Manchester United and Middlesbrough disallowed, and both of them were shown to have been good goals afterwards.
Chelsea have achieved a lot this year in becoming champions after 50 years. They lost the Champions League semi-final, but that can happen when you are playing in a knockout tournament. The fact they're well ahead of everyone else in the league shows that they really deserve it.
If you compare them to the side I was in at Ajax, though, you must remember that this side has been bought. The entire Ajax team was assembled for less than probably Chelsea's cheapest player. That Ajax team was just youth talent coming from the club itself so you can't compare the two. We were dominant in the Netherlands league, but how the sides were put together was totally different. We grew together over four or five years, while Chelsea have bought their team in one or two. Winning the Premiership is still a great achievement, however. "
Fom Icons.com
He can stay if he takes a wage cut and gets himself into shape!
So that means the game against Chelsea on Sunday could be my final match for Newcastle. But I hope it won't be as I feel I have a lot more to show the fans. It's true that my season has been a little bit disappointing. I've had a few little injuries, and I've struggled to get into a rhythm. The same has applied to Nicky Butt, and I feel as a result neither of us have played as well as we might have done. I'm disappointed I haven't played more games. When you are in and out of the side all the time, it's very hard to find your best form - but I hope that next season I will have a better season in the Premiership.
There's no getting away from the fact it's been a poor year for Newcastle in the Premiership. It's up to the club how they will change things to have a good season next year, but I strongly believe that a club with the stature of Newcastle must do better next year. If you look at the record in recent years, we have underachieved in the league. But in terms of the FA Cup, and to a lesser extent the UEFA Cup, we did well, even if we didn't get the trophy that everyone wanted.
I want to continue my stay in Newcastle, but my future will be decided after the season ends.
Even though Chelsea are the champions and we can't win anything, of course we will be giving our all on Sunday. We will be playing for our own professional pride and for the fans too. They pay their money every week and support the club with incredible passion, and we will look to get a victory for them. They would love us to beat Chelsea, and beating Chelsea, who have played so well this season, would be a great achievement for us, and attract a lot of attention.
Talking about Chelsea, the highlight of my season was the goal I scored against them in the FA Cup. I wish there could have been more like that – but don't forget, I had goals against both Manchester United and Middlesbrough disallowed, and both of them were shown to have been good goals afterwards.
Chelsea have achieved a lot this year in becoming champions after 50 years. They lost the Champions League semi-final, but that can happen when you are playing in a knockout tournament. The fact they're well ahead of everyone else in the league shows that they really deserve it.
If you compare them to the side I was in at Ajax, though, you must remember that this side has been bought. The entire Ajax team was assembled for less than probably Chelsea's cheapest player. That Ajax team was just youth talent coming from the club itself so you can't compare the two. We were dominant in the Netherlands league, but how the sides were put together was totally different. We grew together over four or five years, while Chelsea have bought their team in one or two. Winning the Premiership is still a great achievement, however. "
Fom Icons.com
He can stay if he takes a wage cut and gets himself into shape!