Newcastle's Mathieu Debuchy not going anywhere amid rumours of France return

Defender admits difficult start to life in England, but he has grown to love the country and playing in the Premier League

Few had seen him play before France met England in the European Championship at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. Debuchy was excellent (Getty Images)

Newcastle defender Mathieu Debuchy has rubbished claims that he is set for a swift return to France, saying that he wants to stay in England and that he is happy in Newcastle.

Debuchy was one of five Frenchman to join the Magpies in January that were brought in by manager Alan Pardew in an attempt to keep the club in the Premier League.

And after a difficult start to life in England, the right-back has been subject to rumours that Paris St-Germain and Monaco were due to battle it out over his signature for a LIgue 1 return.

He told The Chronicle: "I don't know about the rumours saying I have been contacted by Paris or Monaco.

"I feel good in Newcastle. I want to stay In England. I love the Premier League."

Debuchy is one of many players that have been afforded a few extra days of holiday do to being called up for international duty at the end of the season, and he is expected to join up with the squad at the training ground next week.

With the rest of the squad due back this week, they will undergo pre-season fitness checks before kicking on with training, but there will be some changes to get used to following the turbulent summer on Tyneside already.

New director Joe Kinnear has certainly had his say over the last couple of weeks, with managing director Derek Llambias having left the club following the former manager’s appointment.

Debuchy admitted that he and his fellow Frenchman were certainly thrown in at the deep end last season in the fight for survival, but also that he has grown to love England and sees his immediate playing future on these shores.

He said: "For me, the Premier League was a big discovery. Everything is much harder than it is in France.

"The game is faster and the teams are better, even the small teams. I also had to learn a new language as I did not speak English.

“It was complicated, but right now it is better. I love England, even if it is different."