Sean Steur’s father has been accused of throwing him to the lions by pushing his move to Newcastle United this summer.
Journalist Johan Derksen, via Voetbal Zone, has made his feelings clear. He, like everybody else in the Netherlands, is very unimpressed with the transfer.
Newcastle for the money
Sean Steur moved to Newcastle last week in a €27m deal from Ajax. The Magpies wrapped up a deal for the 19-year-old quickly, despite his lack of experience in the Netherlands.
Eddie Howe’s side are rebuilding their midfield this summer following the departure of Sandro Tonali to Tonali. Steur is expected to compete with Lewis Miley for a place in their midfield next season.
But the deal has raised eyebrows and led to fierce criticism in the Netherlands. Sport Witness have already covered this extensively. For example, one report four days ago explained why the youngster is destined to fail.
Now the knives are out for his father. Derksen believes that he’s thrown his son to the lions in the pursuit of easy money.
“Steur’s father has completely overestimated his son,” he said on Vandaag Inside.
“I don’t think that lad is physically up to the task of playing in England’s top flight. He’s not ready for that yet. But if they can make money, they’re so greedy they’ll throw that lad to the lions. Well, I reckon he’ll be turned upside down in England!
“He has a lot of qualities, but he really is a player who should have stayed at Ajax for another two years. Then he would have gained some status and might even have played for the Dutch national team.”
Agents and father questioned
Journalist Wim Kieft also believes that those around Sean Steur have played their part this summer. Ajax Showtime relay his comments today, from his columns in De Telegraaf. They were recently cited as part of the show on the KieftJansenEgmondGijp podcast.
He was keen to emphasise how disappointed he is in the midfielder’s move to Newcastle this summer.
‘You know, that’s just the way it is in football,’ he said.
“That’s just how it is with agents and the way contracts are structured. How clubs are often powerless when a player wants to leave.
“That at some point you just think let him go, then we’ll get something for him. With the agents and family members all around him, all wanting a share of the spoils.
“You don’t really think Steur will settle in at Newcastle United straight away, do you?
“Steur doesn’t even stand out at Volendam. Nor should he, because he’s a young lad, seventeen years old (eighteen since January), and he still needs three or four years to see what he’s made of. You don’t really think he’ll find his place at Newcastle United in the Premier League straight away, do you? That’s madness, isn’t it?”