‘Never doubt’ - Newcastle United summer signing opens up about limited game-time under Matthias Jaissle
Newcastle United midfielder Sean Steur has opened up about his start to life at Newcastle United.
Sean Steur has insisted he has no concerns over his role at Newcastle United despite seeing his first-team opportunities fluctuate.
The 18-year-old midfielder made an encouraging start to life on Tyneside following his £23million summer move from Ajax. He caught the eye during pre-season before being handed a starting role in Newcastle's opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Steur was also named in the side for the 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion in August and produced another impressive display during September's 2-1 win against Hull City, earning praise from head coach Matthias Jaissle, who described his performance as 'exceptional'.
However, regular minutes have been harder to come by in recent weeks. The Dutchman remained on the bench for two successive matches following the Hull victory before making three brief appearances as a substitute.
He eventually earned another opportunity from the start in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Fulham, although he was replaced midway through the second half with the match still goalless.
Steur has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in Newcastle colours, but Jaissle has previously stressed that the teenager's physical development will take time as he adjusts to the demands of English football.
"He's fine, but he felt also that the physicality is not 100% there," Jaissle said. "That's something I mentioned already before, this is normal, if you sign a young lad, he needs to get used to that, but he did an amazing job. So, again, also something to build on."
Sean Steur opens up on Newcastle United game time
The midfielder is currently away on international duty with the Netherlands Under-21s and was questioned by the Dutch media about his recent lack of starts at St James' Park.
But Steur made it clear that his reduced involvement has not caused him any significant concern.
"No [not concerned], I think last period I played a lot, now I played a little less," he said.
"The last match I did play in the starting lineup again. But I wasn’t necessarily very worried. I just think, I assumed that I would be here. I don’t think too much about it or anything. But I haven’t really had any contact with anyone here [Netherlands U21s]."
Despite the competition for places in Newcastle's midfield, Steur believes periods out of the starting line-up are simply part of his development at a new club.
"No, never doubt, sometimes that you play a little less just belongs to the process, belongs to the club you are in," he added.
"Yeah, it’s just a task to then make sure that you come in as quickly as possible and with the minutes and chances that you get, do as well as possible.
"But no, no doubts. I still feel very much in my place there. I’m just calm. It can be fun, but I’m just calm in the sense of, yeah, just trust in yourself and your opportunity will come anyway."
Steur also acknowledged his desire to feature as regularly as possible but maintained that missing out on selection is not something he intends to dwell on.
"Yeah, just don’t panic quickly, I would say. I don’t really overthink about if you play one match less well that you’re then directly [out]. Of course I want to play. Every player wants to play every minute. But there is no reason to panic if that doesn’t happen."
Steur hoping to build on promising Newcastle start
The teenager will now hope to retain his starting place when Newcastle return to Premier League action against Arsenal at St James' Park following the November international break.
Although his minutes have been managed, Steur has already demonstrated the potential that persuaded Newcastle to invest heavily in securing his signature from Ajax.
He has also enjoyed more opportunities than several of the club's other young summer recruits.
Steur remains the only youngster signed before Jaissle's appointment to have started a Premier League fixture this campaign, with Ewen Jaouen, Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure all still awaiting their first league starts.
For now, Steur's message is one of patience and confidence, with the Dutch international determined to make the most of his opportunities as he continues his development on Tyneside.