Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey has opened up and spoke about his truncated England career.
There was something of a – ultimately unsuccessful – campaign out of Newcastle in May to get Jonjo Shelvey on the plane to the World Cup in Russia.
The 26-year-old’s form over the latter half of last season earned considerable praise as he played an integral part in Rafa Benitez’s unfancied side eventually finishing 10th.
It’s not the first time, of course, that Shelvey has been touted as a potential option for England and many would have been surprised to hear that after he made his international debut in 2012, he only went on to have six caps since years later.
For a player who was once considered to have considerable potential, his career hasn’t quite developed the way many expected – something Shelvey himself recognises.
“I feel I could have achieved a hell of a lot more than I have,” Shelvey told the BBC. “I have got six England caps and feel I should have double or maybe even treble that.
“I have made bad decisions in the past but that’s part of growing up and learning.”
The England team might be a little more difficult to break into after Gareth Southgate’s squad performed so well at the World Cup, but Shelvey clearly has given up on a return to international duty just yet.
“I must be doing something right (to be considered),” Shelvey said. “But I have to keep my name in people’s mouths for a good reason’.
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