Sven Botman believes he has “a lot to give” as he looks ahead to Newcastle United’s crucial Champions League meeting with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
The Magpies welcome the Eredivisie leaders to St James’ Park in their penultimate league-phase fixture, knowing that victory would secure at least a play-off place ahead of next week’s demanding trip to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Botman ready to lead again after injury return
The Dutch centre-back has enjoyed an encouraging return to action after recovering from a hamstring injury earlier this month. Botman has kept three clean sheets in his last three Champions League appearances and feels he is well placed to play a major role during the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.
Having recently signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle United, the 26-year-old spoke with confidence about both his own ambitions and the club’s trajectory.
“I feel like I have a lot to give and I also think this club has huge potential. I love to be part of it and to achieve great success with the club,” Botman said.
“I think [from] the moment I stepped through these doors, three and a half years ago, and what we've achieved in the last couple of years, this club is growing every year.
“We've achieved great things already but we definitely want to have more. A trophy was really nice last season. We want to have more trophies and set a goal for ourselves to be in the Champions League every season.
“The team is getting better, the club is getting bigger and the standards are getting higher.”
Aiming to rediscover best defensive form
Botman has endured what he described as “a difficult two years” due to a series of injury setbacks, but he is now determined to rediscover the defensive consistency that defined his debut season at St James’ Park.
That 2022/23 campaign saw Newcastle secure a top-four finish under Eddie Howe, sealing a return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence.
“I think we had a great first season as a defence [in 2022/23],” Botman said. “That's something that I admire all the time when I'm defending, keeping clean sheets and it's something I want to achieve more.
“With injuries, it was a difficult time. Even when I came back from my ACL, I played a few games and then had another injury. I feel like I'm getting back to full fitness and great form and, most importantly, be fit and playing games.”
Focused on the future, not the setbacks
For Botman, the motivation to return stronger has been fuelled by time spent away from the pitch.
“The time you're out injured, everything you think about is coming back and playing on the pitch again in front of these fans in this stadium,” he added.
“It's always give you a great feeling, an amazing feeling, that you're playing at such a high stage. It's never nice to be injured but that's in the past now and I'm moving forward to what's coming.”
With PSV Eindhoven providing the next test, Botman will be eager to anchor Newcastle’s defence once more as the Magpies look to strengthen their Champions League position and build momentum for the decisive weeks ahead.
Key Insights
- Sven Botman feels ready to make a major impact this season
- Newcastle can secure a Champions League play-off spot with a win over PSV
- Botman has three clean sheets in his last three UCL appearances
- Injuries disrupted the past two years, but fitness is improving
- Long-term ambitions include regular Champions League qualification
What’s Next
Newcastle face PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park before travelling to Paris Saint-Germain in their final league-phase fixture.
Can a fully fit Sven Botman be the defensive cornerstone Newcastle need for another deep Champions League run?
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