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Opinion: Why Newcastle missed a trick with PSV-bound Siem De Jong

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One of the most amazing stories emanating out of Tyneside right now is the fact that Siem De Jong has remained fit enough to pass a medical with PSV Eindhoven. 

Since joining the Magpies back in 2014, the Dutch midfielder has been blighted by injuries, exacerbated by the wider struggles of the club.

Much like his infamous brother Luuk, De Jong struggled to make much of an impact at St. James’ Park.

Still, unlike his not-so-lethal sibling, the 27-year-old would at least be welcomed back.

Clearly it’s hard to rely on a man so prone to injury, though the Oranje international could have been the ace in Rafa Benitez’s pack.

In his few fleeting appearances towards the end of the campaign, his cool head and range of passing proved a calming influence.

Cast your minds back to the red hot Tyne-Wear derby, Benitez’s first home game, when the Toon were trailing 0-1.

De Jong’s introduction saw him drop deeper, almost occupying a Xabi Alonso (yes, he’s obviously not as good) role between the two centre-backs, where we would spray passes around the park.

Constantly keeping possession ticking over, he allowed the home side to build attacks when the pressure was at its most palpable.

His presence in the Championship could have been crucial, being hauled on as an impact substitute to calm proceedings as opposition looked to rattle a pretty fragile minded Toon Army.

Interestingly, he could well have calmed the home crowd down in the latter stages of a tight game, something huge for the Magpies.

With improvements to the medical staff at Benton, perhaps keeping De Jong as a deep-lying playmaker to haul on in the closing stages would have been a masterstroke.

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