Thauvin: I’m ready for the Premier

NEWCASTLE United flop Florian Thauvin claims he is now ready for the Premier League - despite failing to impress during his brief spell in England’s top flight.

The French winger made 13 appearances for United when they were relegated in 2015-16, the last outing coming against Arsenal in January of 2016 something which sticks in his mind.

He said: “The experience helped me. You know, there is a silver lining to everything. It helped me grow.

“With my girlfriend, we found ourselves alone in England and then we looked at each other and said: ‘What are we doing here?’ They clearly never gave me a chance over there.

“I arrived, I played two or three games as a starter, and then, in the fourth, our striker is sent off and I end up up front against Arsenal.

“I don’t play there and there is no miracle. Then, I never played again.”

Just a few weeks later he moved on loan to Marseille and made the move permanent in November 2016.

Since his return to Ligue 1, he has excelled - hitting 44 goals in 77 games - and was also part of the winning French World Cup squad of 2018.

When asked about the belief he still would not be ready for the Premier League, Thauvin (pictured below) added: “That is completely false.

“I have changed, I have grown, I have matured.

“I know myself more and I have progressed. Today, I know I am capable of imposing myself in England.”