Jacob Murphy is living the dream.
The lifelong Newcastle United ticking off the achievements as he goes.
One of many excellent Rafa Benitez signings, Jacob Murphy arrived at the club he supports in 2017.
Now he is the longest serving first team squad player.
His most recent tick on the achievement list was at last adding a Champions League goal (against Qarabag) on top of the assists he’d already managed in the competition, Jacob Murphy telling official club media: “It felt amazing! Also a relief as well. Going back a few years, playing in the Champions League was something I wanted to achieve and managed to make my debut in the San Siro (against AC Milan). After that, it was when could I get my first goal and assist. I’d done well to get a few assists but that first goal was alluding me and baring a bit tricky to get. With a little help, I finally got it!”
The winger’s goal restored United’s five goal advantage in Baku.
Now Jacob Murphy wants to finish off the job and on Tuesday night help ensure another thing is ticked off his wish list, reaching the last 16 of the Champions League: “This group over the last four seasons have been reaching new heights in different ways and this is another milestone which we can achieve. If we can do that, we will be super buzzed about it because we have done some really good things in previous seasons and this will be another one to add to it. People who were watching at home would’ve been blown away with out start out in Baku. I certainly was on the bench watching it! It was a really strong performance and when we’re at our aggressive front-footed self, that’s what we’re capable of. Everyone in the Premier League knows about that and we’ve gave a good account of ourselves so far in the Champions League and a combination of everything going right for us, delivering at a really high level.”
Jacob Murphy struggled to make an impact in his early years at St James’ Park and to me he seemed to find it all a bit too much, lacking the confidence to show what he could do in front of 50,000 fellow Newcastle United fans.
You certainly wouldn’t suggest any lack of confidence now!
Jacob Murphy turns 31 on Tuesday and is part of the leadership group in the squad: “When I went to Sheffield Wednesday (on loan for the 2019/20 season), I could start seeing a resurgence. Everyone has a similar journey that they want to go on. There’s just different paths and that was my path. Luckily, when I was on that loan at Sheffield Wednesday, it started to click for me. I came back and then that’s where I felt Jacob Murphy 2.0 formed. Personally, I had a good couple of seasons under Steve Bruce and then the gaffer (Eddie Howe) came in and the rest is history.”
When coming off the bench on Saturday at the Etihad, Jacob Murphy made it 250 Newcastle United appearances, yet another milestone.
The winger is only the 50th player in the club’s entire history to reach that landmark, Jacob Murphy declaring: “You try and play as many games as you can. I never really had a number in my head of total appearances that I wanted to achieve here but I was made aware by the kitman before the (Manchester City) game that if I were to come on, that would be my 250th game. It was pretty cool! My parents and my family have been ever present in the journey. They’ve helped me a lot. I’ve had a lot of teammates who’ve helped me get to this number as well, a lot of managers past and present that have really helped me being able to have such longevity at the club and a huge number of appearances here. There’s too many people to thank!”
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