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“Biggest mistake” – Player on his transfer to Newcastle United, failed to change ‘negative perception’
Belgium international Matz Sels has expressed his disappointment with his time at Newcastle United in an interview with De Morgen. The goalkeeper joined the Magpies from KAA Gent in 2016, during Rafael Benítez’s tenure, when the club was in the Championship. Sels started regularly in the league but only managed 14 appearances in total across all competitions in his first season. The following year, Newcastle loaned him out before eventually selling him to RC Strasbourg in July 2018.
At Strasbourg, Sels established himself as a key player, leading to a move to Nottingham Forest in January. Now 32, Sels is the first-choice goalkeeper at Forest under Nuno Espírito Santo and has impressed in the Premier League this season. Prior to his time at Newcastle, Sels had stints with Lierse SK and Gent in Belgium, and his move to Forest has allowed him to fulfill his dream of playing in England’s top tier.
Reflecting on his journey, Sels explained why he’s now excelling at Forest after struggling at Newcastle. “I’ve had very good seasons in France, but they were mostly under the radar,” he said. “People paid less attention to my performances at Strasbourg, except for the games against PSG. But I didn’t mind. It’s helped me get to where I am today.”
Regarding his current success in the Premier League, Sels added, “For 99% of footballers, playing in the Premier League is a dream. I can only confirm that. The intensity here is unmatched. Every day, I work hard to prove I belong in this league.”
He also reflected on why his time at Newcastle didn’t work out, saying, “That was my first experience abroad, and it was tough. I got off to a bad start and couldn’t shake the negative perception around me. That was one of my biggest mistakes. I was never able to turn things around at Newcastle.”
Despite the setbacks, Sels views his struggles at St James’ Park as a learning experience. “I don’t look back on that time with resentment. It’s part of the job. Every player goes through tough periods. What matters is how you bounce back. I chose to seek opportunities elsewhere, at Anderlecht, and that helped me grow.”
