Thursday 19 May 2016 16:51, UK
Georginio Wijnaldum says he is devastated he has not been able to secure Premier League survival for Newcastle United.
The Dutchman signed for £14.5m from PSV Eindhoven in July 2015, and despite scoring 11 times in 43 appearances across all competitions, he was unable to prevent Newcastle's relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.
Wijnaldum admits that despite finishing as the club's leading scorer, he is struggling to come to terms with Newcastle's fate.
"In your first season if you can score 11 goals, it gives you confidence," the 25-year-old said.
"But I'm devastated that my goals didn't help the club to survive. That's the feeling that I have right now and I think that's the feeling that will stay for a long time.
"It's difficult to be happy if you're relegated. I scored goals, but they don't have a meaning any more because we are relegated.
"I've never played in this situation. I feel how it is to score but it will not help the team to survive, so I'm sad about that."
Newcastle find themselves in a position of uncertainty as they await a verdict from Rafael Benitez over whether he will continue as manager next season.
The Spaniard is yet to activate the get-out clause in the three-year contract he signed in March, and has held talks over his future with owner Mike Ashley and managing director Lee Charnley.
