Alex Murphy (bottom left) with the rest of the Newcastle United team before the Qarabag clash.placeholder image
Alex Murphy (bottom left) with the rest of the Newcastle United team before the Qarabag clash. | Getty Images
Newcastle United transfers: Alex Murphy has opened up on his desire for more senior football after being denied a January loan move.
Alex Murphy has spent the full season with Newcastle United’s first team and is facing a big summer with a decision set to be made on his future.
The 21-year-old has made just seven appearances for the Magpies over the last three seasons, with his first and only start coming recently in the Champions League.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has been a victim of his own versatility, inexperience and the club’s defensive injury crisis.
Alex Murphy admits Newcastle United frustration
This has resulted in Murphy making 34 unused substitute appearances so far this campaign. The left-sided defender, who scored twice in 13 games during a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season, would have likely been allowed to leave on loan in January had it not been for injuries to Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Tino Livramento, and Fabian Schar.
While Murphy can now officially call himself a Champions League player after starting the 3-2 knockout round play-off win over Qarabag, he admitted to the Irish Examiner that his lack of minutes is difficult to stomach.
"If it was my choice, I’d be somewhere else playing games but it’s not always down to you," Murphy said. "It’s good to say that you’re a Premier League player and be in the squads every week, but as a player you want to play in games. Any player would be fuming to be on the bench for every game. It’s nice for a while but does wear off.”
NUFC exit on the cards?
Despite being under contract until 2028, Murphy is eager for a ‘full season of games’ to continue his development. While the club is expected to allow him to leave on loan this summer, a permanent exit hasn’t been ruled out.
"Yeah, especially after not playing much this season," Murphy added. "I know it’s not over yet but you just want to have a full season of games. I’m still young enough to learn and get as much experience.”
Murphy noted that the club showed some trust in him by opting to keep him around the first team, and he remains hopeful of a breakthrough.
"I would have tried harder to get out on loan if I thought I didn’t have a chance," he added. "But I always knew that if I keep pushing, I might actually break through. I’m still hoping to do that.”
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