Former Newcastle United and Premier League misfit Luuk de Jong now has two hat-tricks this season as the veteran striker takes his tally to 31 for runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven.
In an age where centre-forwards tend to age like a fine wine – Robert Lewandowski, Edinson Cavani, Ciro Immobile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and co arguably playing the best football of their careers on supposedly the ‘wrong’ side of 30 – Luuk de Jong is also proving that age is but a number.
Ivan Toney is certainly not the only former Newcastle United frontman who has gone on to achieve some rather spectacular things away from St James’ Park.
Luuk de Jong, who made 12 goalless appearances for The Magpies a decade ago, has almost scored a goal for every one of his 33 years on planet earth this season.
Former Newcastle flop inspiring PSV’s Eredivisie charge
“He is doing great. He now scores three again, but is also the driving force in putting pressure (on the defence). And he gave an assist today,” PSV coach Peter Bosz beams, speaking to ESPN after De Jong hit his second treble of 2023/24 in the weekend’s 7-1 shellacking of PEC Zwolle.
“He played fantastic.”
This is actually the fourth time – and the third in PSV colours – that De Jong has broken the 30-goal barrier in a season. A career-best tally of 32 is now in reach, and the veteran Dutchman can make personal history if he hits a brace against reigning (and soon to be former) Eredivisie champions Feyenoord next time out.
Magpies eye Viktor Gyokeres
HITC Football, meanwhile, understands that De Jong’s former employers Newcastle United may look to add another centre-forward to their current squad in the summer. Eddie Howe has had to do with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson at times recently, with a lack of a clinical edge very nearly costing them against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
HITC understands that Newcastle are watching Sporting Lisbon talisman Viktor Gyokeres. Like De Jong, the former Coventry City talisman has broken the 30-goal barrier this term.
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