For his sake, hopefully Isaac Hayden has played his last game for Newcastle.
The midfielder started in a new role against Fulham, taking Javi Manquillo’s place as the right wing-back. And just like he’s been all year, Hayden did a professional job.
(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United)
The game summed Hayden’s 2019 up. He wants to be down south with his family, but that hasn’t stopped him getting on with his job. Amazingly, it’s coincided with his best run of form in a Newcastle shirt.
He’s looked like a proper Premier League midfielder, which is why his desire to leave is so hard to swallow.
Roller coaster season for Hayden
It’s been an emotional season for him. It started with wanting to leave. He didn’t get his wish and was then sent off for a rash challenge against Cardiff.
Have to appologise to everyone for today, was a needless tackle and one that was stupid from me in that circumstance in the game. Will learn from it for sure and will be doing my upmost to repair my mistake today, for my teammates,manager and staff and fans in the future #NUFC
— Isaac Hayden (@IsaacHayden65) August 18, 2018
Who’d have thought he’d come back from that to be considered one of our players of the season? In January he reinstated his desire to leave, but once again didn’t get his wish.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Rather than sulking, he took his game to a whole new level.
The 24-year-old has started every Premier League game in 2019, and signed off with this message.
I haven’t been on here since my last tweet, I can’t thank you fans enough for the support you have shown me over the season. I hope I made my mistake up to you guys and whatever the summer brings. It has been a pleasure to play for Newcastle United and for you #NUFC pic.twitter.com/q2ANW7VD9M
— Isaac Hayden (@IsaacHayden65) May 12, 2019
He has had a great three seasons as a Newcastle player. In the Championship he came from nowhere to play a key role in promotion. This season he’s looked top class up against some of the best midfielders around.
(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United)
Hayden says it’s been a pleasure to play for Newcastle. It’s been a pleasure to watch him.
Good luck, Isaac. Hopefully we’ll meet again one day.