De Jong looks to Ronaldo in bid to improve fitness
SIEM de Jong has opened up about his Newcastle United frustrations – and revealed he is taking inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo in order to improve his fitness.
Dutch international De Jong endured an injury-ravaged first two years on Tyneside, suffering from a second collapsed lung in as many seasons and also a torn thigh muscle.
The 28-year-old is currently on a season-long loan back in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven and has scored six goals in 18 Eredivisie appearances this term as he looks to rediscover his prime fitness.
Not only is the attacking-midfielder undergoing a longer warm-up, he is also spending more time in the gym in order to build his muscle strength.
He hopes to return to Newcastle and make an impact next season, given that his Magpies contact runs until 2020.
“Injuries are never good, but mine were very poor timing,” De Jong told Dutch publication nrc.nl about his first season at St James’ Park following a £6m from Ajax during the summer of 2014. “In the year you are purchased, you are all year injured.
“But you’re professional. When I play 90 minutes, I give 100 per cent, if I play one minute too.
“I feel fed up, but that should not affect your motivation.
“It was sometimes frustrating, but at the same time you work out that you try to still see the game and how you can influence it.
“Ten minutes warm-up for me? Perhaps the most important 10 minutes of the day. The point is that your body always has to get used to the load.
“In football, there is not always time for that, you have to sometimes stand straight.
“But I pay attention to my body. Even if you always want to play, sometimes you say not now. If you’re at 95 per cent and you give 100 per cent, you do a little too much.”
De Jong, who will feature for PSV against his former club Ajax in a huge Eredivisie clash.
PSV are third, six points behind second-placed Ajax and seven shy of league leaders Feyenoord. In 23 games in all competitions this season, De Jong has scored seven times – and insists he is taking inspiration from Real Madrid star Ronaldo in order to improve his allround game.
“I am well aware that you should do something every day to improve yourself,” De Jong added.
“The ultimate example continues to be Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Who knew he had to do much extra to be the best and does so when he has more distractions of peripheral issues than, for example, myself.
“You do not see much that players can muster. Here guys try that too.
“I would actually still have to go to the gym, you hear. But shooting in there too.”