Newcastle United confirmed the signing of Andros Townsend from Tottenham Hotspur for a fee which is believed to be in the region of £12million on Wednesday, and the winger is the third high-profile signing they have made this month, with Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet moving to St. James’ Park before him.
The Magpies shelled out £12million for the England international, but he has pledged to make the big-money deal a bargain by reaching his truest potential. He felt the need for reminding people of the times when he was believed to be the next big thing on the England soil but believes that he has to put his past glory behind in order to announce himself to the world again.
Directly involved in 20 goals across all competitions, he had two fruitful seasons with the London club before he was embroiled in a row with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner that ultimately demoted him to the U21 Premier League, where he notched 3 goals and 3 assists in 7 games.
“Of course, £12m is a lot of money. But if I can reach my potential and play to the ability I know I have, then I am sure as quickly as people are saying it is a lot of money, they will be saying it is a bargain,” the winger explained.
“I am the same player and the same person that broke on the scene a few years ago and was tipped as a big England prospect. I was an integral part of club and country, but I have got a point to prove now, haven’t I? I have not played consistently in a long time.”
The 24-year-old expects to get a run of games ahead of Florian Thauvin, who is expected to depart the club only six months, and hopes to set the world alight like he used to do few years ago. Though his claims a bit too confident, he is expected to be help Newcastle in their relegation dogfight.
“The last time I played nine or 10 Premier League games in a row, I was playing for Spurs, playing for England and kind of setting the world alight, so I can’t wait to get a run of games and hopefully get back to that level I was at a few years ago.”
The Magpies travel to Everton on Wednesday night, and he will likely be handed his first Premier League start this season in his Newcastle debut against Roberto Martinez’s men. At this rate, Steve McClaren will need a different level of talent to make the men in white and black play Championship football next season.