Newcastle United teenager Sean Steur has said he is not concerned about his recent lack of game-time, describing squad rotation as “part of the process” under head coach Matthias Jaissle.
The 18-year-old has been an unused substitute in recent weeks, and there were ironic cheers for Jaissle when he brought the Dutch youngster on in the dying stages against Everton in the Carabao Cup. Steur returned to the starting XI at Fulham at the weekend, but was taken off in the closing stages after suffering a knock at Craven Cottage.
Steur on being left out
Now back in his home country for Holland Under-21 games against Denmark in Vejle and then Almere, Steur was asked about his stance on being left out of some big games. Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, the teenager said: “No [not concerned], I think last period I played a lot; now I played a little less.”
“The last match (at Fulham) I did play in the starting line-up again. But I wasn’t necessarily very worried.”
“I just think, I assumed that I would be here at this stage. I don’t think too much about it or anything. But I haven’t really had any contact with anyone here [Netherlands U21s].”
Trust in the process
Steur then opened up on Jaissle’s process of giving the likes of the Dutch midfielder, Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure experience step by step. The Ajax youth product said: “No, I never doubt that, sometimes that you play a little less just belongs to the process, belongs to the club you are in.”
“It’s just a task to then make sure that you come in as quickly as possible and with the minutes and chances that you get, do as well as possible.”
“But no, no doubts. I still feel very much in my place there. I’m just calm. It can be fun, but I’m just calm in the sense of, yeah, just trust in yourself and your opportunity will come anyway.”
“I just don’t panic quickly, I would say. I don’t really overthink about if you play one match less well that you’re then directly [out]. Of course I want to play. Every player wants to play every minute. But there is no reason to panic if that doesn’t happen.”
