Georginio Wijnaldum says toughest thing about life at Newcastle is the Geordie accent

Georginio Wijnaldum may have become embroiled in a "difficult" relegation battle at Newcastle United, but the biggest struggle for him during his first season in the Premier League has been trying to understand the Geordie accent.

Wijnaldum has been the best of Newcastle’s summer signings and, having admitted he was not initially interested in a move to the North East, the Dutchman has thrived on Tyneside, leading the goalscoring charts with nine goals.

The 25-year-old was Dutch player of the year last season, as he captained PSV Eindhoven to the title, and there was plenty of interest in him, but Newcastle were by far the most persuasive of his suitors

Wijnaldum became the third most expensive player in the club’s history, behind Michael Owen and Alan Shearer in July, and has emerged as one of the best attacking midfielders in the country, despite the fact the Magpies have spent the majority of the season in the bottom three.

“In the beginning, I never thought that I would play for Newcastle,” admitted Wijnaldum. “But my manager told me that this was a big club.

“In Holland we don’t know how big the club is, but this is a really big club. I spoke with the manager, he called me before I signed, and he gave me a really good feeling to sign for Newcastle. Also, [managing director] Lee Charnley did a good job of explaining why this was going to be a good choice for me.

“After that, I had a good feeling about it and I just followed my heart, that’s why I chose Newcastle

“It’s [been] difficult because we don’t win a lot of games. Last year [with PSV}, even if we played some bad games, we would win them.

“This year is different because we don’t win a lot of games, so now you must show character and show that you can also fight.

“Last year at PSV we had to fight to win every single game that we played. This year, we fight to not lose a game and not to be in the relegation zone. It’s difficult.”

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However, despite signing up for an unexpected relegation battle, Wijnaldum’s disappointment has been eased by the fact he has relished playing for a club with such passionate supporters. Not that he can always understand what they are saying when he meets them.

“It’s not easy to settle in if you come to a new club,” he explained. “Especially in your first year, but it has went well so far.

“I’m glad that they are happy with me, it makes me happy. I want to do my best on the field because I know the fans like me.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to understand what they’re saying, but I just ask what they mean.

“I can speak English quite well, but there are some words which I don’t know and it’s difficult to explain what you mean, but if I ask the players or other people how to say something, they will help me

“The people on the street, sometimes they speak Geordie and when I say ‘Sorry?’ they realize I don’t understand, so they speak with less [of a] accent so I can.”

Wijnaldum has attracted plenty of admiring glances from rival Premier League clubs this season and admits he “supported Man United” when he was younger.

But although he has been one of Newcastle’s best players this season, Wijnaldum has not scored a goal away from St James’ Park.

Indeed, there has been criticism a player who began his career with Feyenoord, has gone “missing” in away games. It is something he intends to rectify as he looks to help save the Magpies from relegation.

“I love playing in front of our own fans,” Wijnaldum told the BBC’s Match of the Day magazine. “But I’m looking forward to scoring an away goal now.

“I think I need that, but also the team needs it and it’s going to be better for my confidence if I can score an away goal. I want to celebrate in another stadium.”

Match of the Day Magazine, on sale now, www.MOTDmag.com