‘I was a bit surprised’: Sven Botman shares what has shocked him about Newcastle United so far

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Summer signing Sven Botman says he has been surprised by the intensity of training at Newcastle United so far.

Botman has spoken to the Daily Mail about how he is adjusting to life in the north east ahead of his maiden Premier League campaign.

He says he was prepared for the games to be intense in England but the training sessions are played out at the same tempo.

Newcastle chased Botman intensely over the past two transfer windows and eventually got their man at the heart of defence.

Sven Botman surprised by Newcastle training tempo

He said: “I certainly need to adapt! There is a big difference here. Yeah, I was a bit surprised.

“I knew the tempo in the Premier League was high, but training as well? There is no rest between drills. It is, ‘Go, go, go’.

“Everything is 200 per cent. But that’s a good thing.

“The manager is clear what he demands from us. If we want to reach that level, we have to demand a lot from ourselves.”

Signings coming in from abroad can take some time to settle into life in England but Newcastle are clearly convinced Botman can make the jump.

They would not have pursued him so relentlessly otherwise.

Bruno Guimaraes was the only player Newcastle bought in January who did not have Premier League experience and he has added star quality to the midfield.

They have made an exception for Botman again this summer and he seems resolutely determined to make the adjustment to life in England.