Player insists he proved he was ‘one of the best’ at Newcastle – ‘Could see it’ in the numbers

Defender Jetro Willems has revealed how he moved to Newcastle United to show he is ‘one of the best’, something he believes he achieved at the club.

The Dutchman joined Newcastle on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in August 2019, one of several arrivals that summer alongside the likes of Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin and Valentin Lazaro.

He quickly established himself as Newcastle’s first choice left-back that season, earning his first start in the draw with Watford at the end of August and remaining in the side from that point onwards.

He impressed over the coming weeks, bagging a wonder goal in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, another in a draw with Manchester City and assists in wins over Manchester United and West Ham.

The defender was very much establishing himself as a firm fan favourite, earning rave reviews for his performances, with it looking likely his move would be made a permanent one the following summer.

That ultimately did not happen as a cruciate ligament rupture picked up in the 1-0 win over Chelsea midway through January ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

Such an event could leave him looking back on his time at St James Park with a little sadness or bitterness, but it seems that is not the case.

“In the summer I went to Newcastle, I promised my parents, my manager, say everyone, that I would show again that I am one of the best,” he told Voetbal International.

“I did that, you could see it in the numbers that season. Statistically, I was one of the best left-backs in England.

“Only recently, after I left Germany, I said the same thing to those around me: ‘Give me two months, then I’ll show it one more time.’ That I belong among the best left-backs in the Netherlands.”