‘Wear a black and white’ – Red-hot attacker drops hint over potential Newcastle future
Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has dropped a hint that he hopes to be playing in black and white next season – although failed to confirm if that was for the Magpies or elsewhere.
The 23-year-old’s future on Tyneside has looked under threat while manager Rafael Benitez has been at the club, and was shipped out to join Championship side Fulham during the January transfer window.
He has been in red-hot form since joining the Cottagers, netting seven goals in his nine second-tier appearances, and there have been hints that Slavisa Jokanovic would be keen on keeping his fellow countryman at the club.
However, speaking about his future, Mitrovic said to Get West London:”God’s will is that I wear a black and white jersey. I’m glad of that, I feel fine in this shirt.
“I respect Rafa Benitez’s decision not to play me and now I feel comfortable playing Fulham. I’m hoping that it will last.
“Every gathering and every match – and even friendlies – is a chance for me, it’s a new fight for a place in the team and I’m going to try and doing my best. Then the selector decides.”
Mitrovic has 72 outings under his belt for Newcastle across all competitions, and Fulham are his third team to wear black and white, after the Magpies and Partizan Belgrade.
Football Insider verdict
Mitrovic is having a little bit of a laugh over the colour of his shirts, although there are likely some players who are so superstitious they would not play in another colour. The Serbian’s form at Fulham cannot be ignored but it does beg the question whether he has found his level in the Championship. There were some suggestions that the style of play the Cottagers operate with has made a difference, but it is more likely that Benitez does not appreciate the fact the 23-year-old is something of a loose cannon. The Spanish boss admires reliability and commitment, and with Mitrovic throwing himself about and getting into disciplinary issues, it is the character, not his talent, which is the issue.
In other Newcastle United team news, the club have been handed a big boost over senior star’s injury doubts.
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