A number of Newcastle United supporters have been reacting to the news that the Magpies’ on-loan defender Florian Lejeune has been named in La Liga’s Team of the Week for his latest performance for Alaves.
The Frenchman was sent out on loan by the Magpies during the summer, with Steve Bruce having decided it was better for him to go out and get first team football on a regular basis this term, per Chronicle Live. That came after the defender struggled to force his way into the side last season, making just six appearances and four starts in the Premier League (Sofascore).
Lejeune was a key performer under Rafa Benitez but injury issues prevented him from truly establishing himself in the Magpies’ starting line-up and limited him to just 24 and 12 appearances in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns respectively (Sofascore). However, whenever he did feature, he was often Newcastle’s most effective distributer from the back.
The defender is enjoying an excellent spell of form with Alaves. He has helped them pick up three clean sheets in nine La Liga appearances and is averaging an impressive 3.8 clearances and 2.1 interceptions per game (Sofascore). Lejeune played a starring role as his team upset European heavyweights Real Madrid last time out, making eight clearances and two tackles in a 2-1 win at the Bernabeu.
That performance saw him earn recognition by being named in La Liga’s Team of the Week alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann.
— Florian Lejeune (@lejeune_florian) December 1, 2020
Newcastle fans react to Lejeune accolade
Many Newcastle supporters were keen to point out that the Magpies need the defender back at St James’ Park, but with just one year remaining on his contract, one fan suggested he might not want to return as he continues to shine in Spain.
https://twitter.com/bbnufc/status/1333807686979346440?s=19
https://twitter.com/andynufc92/status/1333867120627752967?s=19
Congratulations!! Keep up the great work. See you back at SJP soon, fitter and stronger than ever!
— torresmex90 (@torresmex90) December 1, 2020
When Bruce is gone please come back
— T J H (@TheMokPope) December 1, 2020
Good team that 😂
— Mark Choake ⚫️⚪️🤙🏻 (@markchoake) December 1, 2020
Come back soon mate…
— Norman Dempsey (@NormanDempsey5) December 1, 2020
Still confuses me why we let Lejeune out on loan #nufc
— The Irish Toon⚫️⚪️🇮🇪 (@ToonIrish) December 1, 2020
Could do with him back!
— stephen halliwell (@ShalliwellToon) December 1, 2020
