Jurgen Locadia isn’t happy with his situation at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 25 year old is so frustrated that he’s not only thinking about an exit in the January transfer window, but he’s happy to talk about it too… regardless of the consequences that may bring when he returns to his club.
Locadia is the star of De Telegraaf’s sport section on Thursday, getting the front page, and it’s all because of the frustrated words he’s shared with the Dutch newspaper this week.
With just 209 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, spread over eight matches, the Dutchman is at the end of his patience and feels that he’s been at the club long enough to settle in.
The Brighton player is quoted as saying: “I try to stay positive, but I also get older. I’m now at an age that I have to play weekly. At Brighton, I do not feel that my situation will change quickly. In my opinion, I never had the chance to show what I am worth. I think winter is a good time to think if this is still good for me.
“I haven’t had a real clear explanation why I don’t play. The coach will find the other strikers better. I must, of course, respect that. But it is also my career, I cannot keep saying ‘yes and amen’. I train super hard, I am top fit, but I have to show it in ten minutes of inclusion. That is really difficult.”
Annoyingly for Locadia, at times when he’s felt progress was being made, he’s been pushed back again: “The whole storyline is wrong. That is what makes me angry. I was fit in February, scored goals and also played a good match against Manchester United in the FA Cup. After that I hardly played, while they wanted me at all costs in January. In the summer I put in a good preseason, but in vain.”
So much has the player been thinking about an exit that he’s decided where he does and doesn’t want to go: “In the summer, a departure was not an option for Brighton, although there was interest from beautiful clubs. Then I agreed with my agent to look at the situation in the winter.
“Soon there will be a conversation. I respect Brighton, but I hope they respect me in this situation. I’m only human. I want to go for the highest level and not be loaned to a club in the Championship, for example. I hope for a club in Spain, Germany, something like that. Of course I have to show it myself and then hope that I get a fair chance.”
The Dutchman was optimistic about his move to the Premier League club, and whilst it hasn’t worked out he’s still taking some positives: “Brighton really seemed like the perfect next step. I also feel that I have become even more complete as a footballer. But then I want to be able to measure myself against other players. And not just in training… “
