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Jacob Murphy has admitted to almost leaving Newcastle United before his resurgence under Eddie Howe.
Signed by Rafa Benitez in 2017 following Premier League promotion, the winger has spent most of his Toon career as a bit-part player. Loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday gave Murphy a taste of first-team football after being frozen out at St James’ Park.
During Steve Bruce’s reign as manager, the 30-year-old found himself down the pecking order on both flanks and even at wing-back. Few could have predicted in October 2021 that, almost four years into the Saudi-backed project, Murphy would still be here.
Howe has re-energised the wideman, now first-choice right-winger in Newcastle’s three-pronged attack. Murphy has forged a fruitful partnership with United goal machine Alexander Isak.
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He set up Isak for Newcastle’s second strike against Liverpool at Wembley earlier this month. Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone during the Carabao Cup celebrations, Murphy reflected on a roller-coaster ride since joining eight years ago.
“I think you stop having them dreams at certain points and then suddenly it becomes a reality,” he said. “There was one point where everyone thought that it was my time to go. I never thought that.
“Here I am on that bus parade, leaping at the back post to nod it down to our superstar striker to put us 2-0 in front at Wembley. It's just an amazing journey and one that my family are proud of, I'm super proud of. It's awesome.”
Murphy also opened up about how it feels to be the first Newcastle players to win domestic silverware in 70 years. PIF have ambitions to win Premier Leagues and Champions Leagues but, for the winger, getting the monkey off the back was a special honour.
“From being a little boy, that's more what you envision it like,” Murphy added. “But driving through there, I didn't expect it to be quite as spectacular as it was. I think the Newcastle fans, the council, everyone's probably going to have to get used to this.
“We always knew that the specialness was in being the first and to be on that bus, knowing that we were the first in so long to do it, makes it even more special. We spoke about it so much, being the first.
“Now that the club's on this trajectory, accomplishments like this will be happening more frequently. But to be the first, I think it makes it even more special. “Especially for seven decades of nothing. Being the first, that's the important one.”
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