Aleksandar Mitrovic has spoke out following Newcastle’s promotion back to the Premier League last night, making a few interesting admissions about his season in the Championship.
The Serbian has been a bit-part player this season and has made some surprising comments for a player who’s started just 10 games all season:
Following last night’s celebration’s he said:
“I’m very happy that I stayed this season and I have really enjoyed it.”
“I haven’t played a lot, I haven’t scored a lot of goals, but I have really, really enjoyed it, even on the bench.”
The 22 year-old then went on to discuss the demands of the Championship, claiming he has learnt a lot in a league more challenging than he first anticipated:
“I didn’t believe it when they told me that this league is so hard, but for me, this league physically is even harder than the Premier League, so it’s a really big achievement for this team, for these guys.”
“I have learnt how to play more physically,”
“I haven’t played every game, so I have had a lot of time to learn next to Dwight (Gayle) and Daryl (Murphy). They are two really good strikers, different types, so I can learn from both.”
The striker then concluded with a very open and honest assessment of his season:
“Like I said, I haven’t played, I haven’t scored goals, but I have learnt a lot from the guys and from this league.”
“It’s been very hard and this will make me a better player for sure and in the future with this experience I have had in the Championship, I can play easily in other leagues.”
Mitrovic’s take on his disappointing season in front of goal is refreshing to read.
For a striker that was signed for £13m and tipped to achieve big things, he appears to have taken his lack of game time well, suggesting that this season has in fact been a steep learning curve for him.
Mitrovic splits opinion and I can see both sides of the argument. I adore his love for the club and eagerness to become a hero at St. James’ Park, but unfortunately, passion is not enough – especially at Premier League level.
I see glimpses of raw potential, but his inability to trouble Championship defences and tendency to miss big chances does worry me going forward.
He needs game time to develop, but can Newcastle afford to hand him that chance at Premier League level? We’ll need all the goals we can get to compete next season and Mitrovic has been guilty of missing too many chances.
It was recently reported that Newcastle have no intention of selling the big Serbian in the near future, so let’s hope we see him get his head down and develop his game ahead of what may be a make or break season for the striker.
Lets remember his age. He has scored more goals than Shearer, Waddle, Beardsley, Thierry Henry at a similar age. Daryl Murphy at 22 scored one goal in 30 games. He has plenty of time to develop, but when he plays, he always brings others into the game and creates chances for others.
Dave Balmer(Quote)