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Satisfied Santon One Year On
Written by Newcastle Utd
Full-back Davide Santon talks to nufc.co.uk about his first year in England and Monday night's trip to Everton
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Davide Santon has celebrated an impressive first year in English football by telling United fans: 'There's still more to come from me'.
The 21-year-old arrived on Tyneside last summer from Inter Milan, and following a patient start went on to establish himself as a permanent fixture in the left-back role during the second half of the campaign - making 27 appearances in all competitions.
One of the first names on manager Alan Pardew's teamsheet, Santon has certainly made an impact on the Magpies' fans, who have grown to love his regular forays forward to support attacks, while remaining solid and composed on the backfoot.
And while he admits that he could not be happier with life in the North-East, the Italian international is refusing to let complacency creep in and is determined to keep improving week by week.
"I have been here a year now and am really enjoying it," Santon told nufc.co.uk in an exclusive interview ahead of Monday's Premier League fixture at Everton.
"I like Newcastle - I like the city and the people in it. The fans are brilliant, I like my team and I like the manager. Better than this is impossible!
"Last season, the first few months were difficult for me because Serie A and the Premier League is totally different.
"But now I feel better on the pitch, and more confident so I am enjoying it.
"I want to help Newcastle keep improving, keep moving forward and be the best we can be.
"The fans have not seen the best of me yet though. I can still do more though - I can be much better - and I will improve while I am here."
Santon will almost certainly keep up his 100 per cent Premier League record this term when United travel to Goodison Park on Monday night.
The full-back is under no illusion as to the the task in front of the Magpies, but insists they take to the pitch with only one thing on their minds - three points.
"This is a really important game for us because last time, a draw at home against Aston Villa, was not fantastic," said Santon.
"We want to win because this year we want to stay in a good position and get into Europe again, but we know Everton is a difficult game.
"Last year we lost there, and so we know that Everton are a good team. But we will go to Everton not for a draw, not for a loss but for a win. We will be positive."
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