Sean Steur wants to put a painful statistic behind him with the Netherlands Under-21s: ‘It would be my first time...’

Sean Steur made a big-money move from Ajax to Newcastle United last summer. The 18-year-old midfielder is back with the Netherlands Under-21s this week ahead of a crucial two-legged tie. Voetbalzone spoke to the Volendam native at a media session in Zeist.

At the Netherlands Under-21s' regular team hotel, Steur walks over with fellow 18-year-old Ruud Nijstad. The cheerful pair finish laughing before the interview gets under way. "It's always nice to be back here. We've got two important matches to play, so there's plenty to look forward to."

Denmark await the Netherlands Under-21s in the play-offs during this international break. The two countries will contest a two-legged tie for a place at the 2027 European Championship, which will be held next summer in Albania and Serbia.

A Geordie accent has yet to rub off on Steur. "When I'm in Newcastle, I still speak plenty of Dutch. I call the lads here and my parents a lot. Sven Botman is Dutch too, of course. Still, it's nice to be able to speak my own language all the time for a change."

"I thought my English was really good... But it's at a good level now. Because of the accent there, at first I sometimes had to ask people to repeat things several times. That's a lot better now," Steur laughs.

Steur senses little tension in the Netherlands Under-21s squad despite what is at stake next week. "No, we're just staying calm. Of course we know we really have to win. We've already had a good training session and I can tell everyone is motivated. Still, I don't feel any tension or extra pressure. We know what we have to do."

Reaching the youth European Championship matters to Steur personally. "Some of the other lads have won a youth European Championship before, but for me it would be my first time at a final tournament... That's something wonderful to look forward to. It's really important that we're there with the Netherlands. Everyone here wants that."

With the Netherlands Under-21s, Steur spends plenty of time with Nijstad. "Ruud and I laugh a lot together. I've known him for a few years and we've always had a really good relationship. That's why I'm happy to be here with him."

In Zeist, they spend most of their free time playing games. "Pool, table tennis and Rummikub. Does Ruud say he often beats me at FIFA? I can show you a video on my phone later that tells a very different story from the one he's telling. Seriously, I've never lost to him!"

Steur's FIFA card in the popular Ultimate Team mode bears the Premier League logo this year. He remains happy with his move to Newcastle United and life in a league regarded as a footballer's paradise. "I've settled in well and I'm really enjoying myself. It's a wonderful league and a fantastic club, with amazing supporters."

For Steur, there is little difference between Ajax and Newcastle United. "It's still just football, of course. I think the biggest difference is the league itself. It's a bit more intense, both physically and in terms of pace."

"Anyone can see that on television too. Everything is just a bit more extreme. I really like that. It's one of the reasons I made the move," says Steur, who still stands fully behind his decision. "One hundred per cent!"

The substantial transfer fee has not put Steur under extra pressure. "I think my price tag is fairly modest by today's standards in football. Of course it's a lot of money for an 18-year-old, but you see enormous sums being paid everywhere."

"I don't look at it that way myself. I try to develop as well as I can and do as well as I can. To be honest, I've never really thought about it," says Steur.

Botman, 26, who represented the Netherlands Under-21s 12 times in the past, has helped Steur settle in England. "Fortunately, Sven and I get on really well. He's a really good guy and explained things at the beginning if there was something I didn't understand."

Newcastle United fans have praised Steur and believe he deserves more playing time. He remains calm about it. "It's always nice when the supporters are happy with you. It's up to me to keep it that way."

"Every match for Newcastle is incredibly special, especially with those fans. Above all at St James' Park. I don't think I'll ever tire of the atmosphere there. I'm very grateful for that," Steur says proudly.

Steur has fulfilled his Premier League dream, but his ambitions go further. In Italy, 17-year-old midfielder Riccardo Cassano (Como) can hope for playing time as a senior international during this international break, even though he has yet to make his official professional debut.

Despite having considerably more experience in that respect, Steur remains patient. "The Netherlands national team is a dream for every player in the Under-21s, so naturally it is for me too. It's obviously a goal, but I'm not someone who looks too far ahead, because I don't think there's much point."

"I'm just trying to develop as well as I can as a player, and ultimately I'd love to achieve that," Steur emphasises. He knows what he needs: "To play a lot, get stronger and gain a bit more experience."

For now, the focus is entirely on the play-offs against Denmark Under-21s. Steur has a clear goal in mind: "This international break will only be a success if we qualify for the European Championship!"