Bought from Hull City in the summer, Mohamed Diamé has proven to be a good investment for Newcastle, more in his manager’s eyes than anything else.
Starting 10 of his new club’s first 16 league games, the Senegalese attacking midfielder has been a regular for the Geordies, helping ‘the team’s balance’, as Benitez puts it, despite failing to find the back of the net in the Championship.
However, while his club might be in good form, for which he takes some credit, playing for his country has been a different kettle of fish, especially during their 2-1 loss to South Africa at the weekend in their 2018 World Cup qualifier when he was subbed off at half-time for Angers veteran Cheikh Ndoye.
Speaking to the local press, relayed by PressAfrik, the player was at a loss to explain why he struggles so much when on international duty.
He said: “It’s not the first time it’s happened. Mentally, it isn’t easy when my club performances are so different than what I do with the national team. That’s what frustrates me and annoys me the most. I just don’t get it, but I’m going to continue to fight to be at my best for the CAN.
“At club level, they often play me behind the striker. I played there two seasons at West Ham. I played well. I’m not going to blame the manager, far from it. I’m the problem. It’s up to me to elevate my game.”
The 29-year-old, who has 33 caps for his country to his name, has, so far, scored two goals (in the EFL Cup) and picked up one assist in 14 appearances for Newcastle.
With a tough game away to sixth placed Leeds on Sunday, the player (and Newcastle fans) will be hoping he can slip back into his ‘club form’ and leaves his international struggles behind him for now.
A goal would be nice, too.
