Jonas wants to end his career in Argentina

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/07/08/4101958/-

The former Mallorca midfielder is happy to remain at St James' Park while he remains in top physical condition and is hoping skipper Fabricio Coloccini will stay for "many years"
EXCLUSIVE

By Diego Morini

Newcastle United midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has revealed that, while he is happy with life at St James' Park, he plans to finish his playing career in Argentina.

The former Mallorca star joined the Magpies back in 2008 and has gone on to feature in almost 200 games as a first-team regular at the club.

Gutierrez started 34 Premier League games during the 2012-13 campaign as Newcastle ended a disappointing season in 16th place and although he is keen to remain in England's top flight, a return to his native country is part of his future plans.

"I want to return to Argentina," he told Goal. "I've loved being with this club for many years but I also know you have to be at one hundred per cent.


"And, today, the Premier League is very demanding, very physical. When I am 33 or 34, I'll see if I am physically fit to hold my own at that level.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world. I do not think back to what I accomplished in the past, I enjoy every day.

"I'm 30 years old and I begin to see the end because the guys who come in are younger and it makes everything more difficult. So I try to improve and I'll start my sixth season here and enjoy it."

Toon skipper Fabricio Coloccini was the subject of intense transfer speculation during the 2012-13 season having revealed his desire to return to Argentina, but Gutierrez is hoping his fellow countryman will remain at Newcastle.

"Colo is the captain and that's important. He is the voice of the locker room and everyone respects him a lot," he continued.

"He is a great player and a great person. He is essential for our defence, is our captain and the commanding voice. There are many things that he has won over so many years.

"Losing him could have been very difficult, but football changes a lot, you can not know what will happen. Today he is here in Newcastle and hopefully he will be for many years."

 

A nice little piece.

Jonas has a good head on his shoulders.

 

He does indeed.
He always gives his all but his powers are indeed fading as many on here (including me) have commented on over the past 12 months.
I can see him dropping down to a bench role towards the end of next season too.

 

Not sure how long he has left on his contract, but I'm assuming he will stay and run out his contract (2 years maybe?) and leave on a free back home. He has been a great servant.

 

His legs have gone but his head and his heart are in the right place.

Good luck to him whatever he does and wherever he goes.

 

I'm hoping that even he realises he can't quite cut it. Top, top squad player and has been an excellent servant but never hit the heights he maybe could or should have done. His ball retention ability is among the best, but is just so let down by a real lack of oomph in the final third. Could have emulated Solano if he'd just had that bit more threat.

 

Good little piece from Jonas. Hopefully a summer break and some well earned time off for his first prolonged rest in a while will see him return to near his best. If he does then he is a very useful squad player. Those defensive non stop wide men can really give a manager options - particularly away from home against stronger sides.

 

I think that the not quite expressed sentiment is "I realise there is a question of whether I can in fact still cut it. I think I can and am going to give it a shot"

 

I think the fact that Jonas and Colo stuck with us when we went down will always endear him to the general fan base.

 

oh, and you can't help like him. grafts. grins. waives (usually).

everything you could want, except a decent cross

 

I know mate.
He's always lacked the final ball and of course goals.
I like the youtube vid of him speaking Geordie...

[video=youtube;CdQxVSqKsVg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdQxVSqKsVg[/video]

 

Last season was long for him and he may be on the wane a bit.
Hopefully the rest will do him good.
But he isn't alone there.

If only some of the supposedly better players over the years had shown some of Jonas's heart and commitment for the team.

 

No matter how **** he plays, Pardew will continue with him with his 'Jobs for the boys' mentality. You watch next season - if Jonas is here, he will play regardless of how wretched he is.

 

It all depends on the levels he can reach, he had a poor season last year (not alone mind you). The previous season he was one of our best and mos consistent players. If he is on the wane, it'll be pretty obvious from an early stage.

He'll never be the sort of winger who provides a significant attacking threat. However he can still be very useful away from home when you are looking to grind out a result. We may need to use him more sparingly than previously. Games where we are blatantly up against it and our full back needs more cover. Personally I think there is still a squad place for him.

 

Speaks better English than JK.

 

The opening line:
"The former Mallorca midfielder is happy to remain at St James' Park while he remains in top physical condition..."

dammit, I need to change my trousers now.

 

I like Jonas. He gives us a calm head if the game is against us. He's also good at keeping the ball.

 

You need to get that incontinence problem sorted Obi, it must be embarrassing when you're in mixed company.

 

Not really when he was happy to take us for what, £50,000 a week?

He wasn't a good enough winger in the championship, and he's certainly not good enough to play in the premiership, but as a wing-back who helps his man and runs around a lot, he's ok. We've massively overpaid him for what he is though. Colo turned out to be the better deal by miles.

 

No neck inbetween though