ATSU: I CAN TAKE IT TO A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL
BIG PREVIEW: SWANSEA CITY V NEWCASTLE UNITED; LIBERTY STADIUM; SUNDAY; 4PM KO
Christian Atsu says he must push himself to “another level” – so he can stay in Newcastle United’s team.
Atsu arrived in England four years ago.
Only now, however, is the winger playing regular Premier League football.
Atsu has started the club’s first three league fixtures.
And Atsu – who joined Newcastle on a permanent deal in the summer following last season’s successful loan – hopes to keep his place for Sunday’s game against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
The 25-year-old, just back from international duty with Ghana, is determined to cement his place in Rafa Benitez’s starting XI.
“I’m very happy that I’m playing week in, week out,” said Atsu, who faces competition from Jacob Murphy and Rolando Aarons.
“There’s a lot of competition in the game, so I just need to work hard and try to compete with my colleagues.
“I’m also happy for my friends on the pitch.
“Anytime I’m on the pitch, I want the club to win. I want to do something for the club. “For me, it’s very important that I keep working.”United had hoped to sign Kenedy on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. However, the proposed move for Atsu’s former Stamford Bridge team-mate was blocked by the Premier League champions before last week’s transfer deadline after manager Antonio Conte failed in a bid to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal.
Atsu, however, feels Benitez does have a “lot of talent” at St James’s Park.
Aarons, 21, is pushing for a league start, while 22-yearold Jacob Murphy, a £12million summer signing from Norwich City, is patiently waiting for an opportunity.
Atsu – who scored five league goals in United’s Championship-winning campaign last season – believes the competition will bring the best out of him over the coming weeks and months.
“We have a lot of talent,” said Atsu, who played two full games for Ghana during the international break.
“We have great players who are playing also wide, the same position as I play.
“I need to push myself to another level.”