Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has called on Luuk de Jong to improve his form in order to earn a permanent deal with the club.
- By Michael Bell
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De Jong joined on loan from German club Borussia Monchengladbach in January, but the striker has yet to net a goal for Newcastle in eight appearances.
The Dutchman has spoken of his intention to earn a permanent contract with Newcastle at the end of the season, but his boss Alan Pardew wants the 23-year-old to improve his form.
Pardew is quoted in the Telegraph saying, “It’s very difficult for a player who has been at a club and not been used after a big money move. He was a big player, a big personality who scored more goals in Holland than Bony for example.
“He is finding his feet and finding his confidence. I think it’s important his all-round game improves from where he is right now.
“I think he has had some good displays for us, but I think there’s more to come. I hope between now and the end of the year that he shows that.
“We know at this club that we need strikers and I’m hoping he can tick a box for us between now and the end of the season.
“To get him back to where he was is a process and that’s the process he’s going through. Our fans need to give him a bit of time and understanding because there is definitely a pedigree there.
“But, at the end of this period he will have had three-and-a-half months with us and he needs to be pretty close to his best if we are going to sign him.”
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