Ex-Magpie Jetro Willems is still on the road to recovery from the knee injury he suffered in January. The left-back had his loan spell at Newcastle cut tragically short last season. Ultimately, that injury prevented him from becoming a permanent member of the squad, at least for now.
Newcastle likely would have triggered Jetro’s purchase option at some point last season had he not suffered the injury. He is now in the final year of his contract with Frankfurt with his future in doubt.
Willems could be getting close, however, to making a triumphant return to the pitch with Frankfurt. The Chronicle has interviewed Christopher Michel, who covers Frankfurt for Sport1 in Germany.
The reporter has revealed that Willems could make his return soon after this international break is over. Here is what he said about Jetro’s timeline for a return:
“It will take time.
“I am often at Eintracht Frankfurt training and three weeks ago he was still training with a blue safety jersey and players weren’t allowed to tackle him.
“In a press conference about four weeks ago I asked Willems if he could replace (Filip) Kostic who has been missing the last five weeks but he said no, he has to get fully fit first and has to recover so it is hard to say when he will return.
“Maybe after the international break, he could slowly be an option to come on after an hour or for 20 minutes.”
Willems will likely be slowly worked back into the fold with Frankfurt. However, Adi Hütter remains the manager and he used Jetro sparingly in his first season at the helm in 2018-19. He handed Willems just 7 league starts before sanctioning the loan move to Newcastle.
So whether Jetro can get more playing time after a serious injury is highly questionable. Michel believes the Dutchman will have difficulty breaking into this Frankfurt team. He thinks it’s only a matter of time before Jetro will have to find a new club.
“I don’t think Willems still has a great future in Frankfurt but, in my opinion, he really could help because Eintracht doesn’t really have a left-back and Willems is a good player.
“So far it hasn’t suited between him and the manager, Adi Hutter, and I have some doubts over whether that will change.
“I think Willems will either leave the club in winter for a small amount of money or he will switch to another club for free in the summer.
“I don’t believe Willems really has a future in Frankfurt but next week they have a friendly match against Nurnberg and we hope Hutter will try Willems and maybe he can tell the coach: ‘Hey, here I am.’
“Realistically, though, I don’t think Willems and Frankfurt will be together in the summer.
“If Willems finds a new club it is going to be Newcastle or his old club PSV Eindhoven.
“He often posts photos of him in Eindhoven so I think his next club will be Newcastle if they still want him.
“I think Willems prefers a move to Newcastle but, if not, I think Eindhoven is the next realistic station for him.”
Jetro has made it crystal clear he wants to return to Newcastle. The question will be whether Newcastle want to bring another left-back on board with Jamal Lewis clearly the future at the position.
However, getting Willems in next summer on a free would be some decent business. He can cover in the midfield and play further up the pitch as a winger. So maybe there’s still hope Jetro will be a Magpie once again.
13 comments so far
Ron Knee
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:08 AM
Comment #1On learning of Steve Bruce’s appointment to NUFC:
https://twitter.com/Andrew_Adonis/status/1326426535331569664/photo/1
Romford mag
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:12 AM
Comment #2Northumbrian
From previous :
Lol aye mate 😉
Did you read the comments ? 🙂
DubaiMicky
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:14 AM
Comment #3Bruce-a-lona
https://theathletic.com/podcast/147-pod-on-the-tyne/?episode=53
Northumbrian
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:14 AM
Comment #4ROM, no mate just studied the picture, I even tried to form a link between Bertie and MBS lol. But enlighten me if you wish.
Romford mag
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Comment #5North
Someone mentioned the king Edward VII
Bridge that goes over the Tyne 😉
Northumbrian
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:24 AM
Comment #6ROM, damn, grrr why the hell did I not think of that ?. Lol I’m so far behind the 8 ball.
😉
Northumbrian
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:26 AM
Comment #7Ooh ooh the 8 ball is normally black n white too.
😀
Romford mag
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Comment #8North
Lol 😉
geordietom
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:35 AM
Comment #9jail …
from previous . with bruceless in charge 30p …
WLtoon
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:36 AM
Comment #10Good morning all, is it midweek blues? There does`nt seem much good news flying about.
The meeting with the MPs and the PL was a bit of a damp squib, there will be nothing at all to come from it. Not a single question asked about the takeover tells me that it is not that important to anyone else but us.
Does anyone know what Jamie Reuben is up to since he left QPR, has he taken up a new position somewhere?
geordietom
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:40 AM
Comment #11rom …
the book DE MARCO put on twiiter , the Heir apparent…
this is what was said of a bloke on twitter …
David Cramman
@DavidCramman
·
47m
Replying to
@nickdemarco_
Yes, I got this reference?? The rail bridge over the Tyne is the King Edward VII bridge.
Northumbrian
Nov 11, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Comment #12Hmmm black n white picture too.
😉
hibbit
Nov 15, 2020 at 9:16 AM
Comment #13:/