Kluivert denies Newcastle exit quotes.

By European Football
May 14 2005

Patrick Kluivert has denied saying he wanted to leave Newcastle in the summer on his personal website saying: There have been reports in the press that I'm leaving Newcastle and that I've said I'm going to Spain in the summer.

I want to make it clear that I never said that. It was reported in one paper and then everyone else picked up on it, but it isn't true. As I've said before – I want to continue my stay in Newcastle, but my future will be decided after the season ends.

So that means the game against Chelsea on Sunday could be my final match for Newcastle. But I hope it won't be as I feel I have a lot more to show the fans. It's true that my season has been a little bit disappointing. I've had a few little injuries, and I've struggled to get into a rhythm. The same has applied to Nicky Butt, and I feel as a result neither of us have played as well as we might have done. I'm disappointed I haven't played more games. When you are in and out of the side all the time, it's very hard to find your best form - but I hope that next season I will have a better season in the Premiership.

There's no getting away from the fact it's been a poor year for Newcastle in the Premiership. It's up to the club how they will change things to have a good season next year, but I strongly believe that a club with the stature of Newcastle must do better next year. If you look at the record in recent years, we have underachieved in the league. But in terms of the FA Cup, and to a lesser extent the UEFA Cup, we did well, even if we didn't get the trophy that everyone wanted.

Even though Chelsea are the champions and we can't win anything, of course we will be giving our all on Sunday. We will be playing for our own professional pride and for the fans too. They pay their money every week and support the club with incredible passion, and we will look to get a victory for them. They would love us to beat Chelsea, and beating Chelsea, who have played so well this season, would be a great achievement for us, and attract a lot of attention.

Talking about Chelsea, the highlight of my season was the goal I scored against them in the FA Cup. I wish there could have been more like that – but don't forget, I had goals against both Manchester United and Middlesbrough disallowed, and both of them were shown to have been good goals afterwards.

Patrick’s website is on Icons.com