The Newcastle United playmaker wasn’t at his best against Wolves but his composure is a credit to his character.
12 months ago, Jonjo Shelvey’s head might have dropped under a barrage of abuse from the terraces. The gifted midfielder’s perceived attitude problems threatened to undermine his talent, leading to his exclusion from Swansea City, and resulting in a number of unseemly on-field incidents.
Who could forget the tirade volleyed at Sir Alex Ferguson after receiving a straight red against Manchester United for Liverpool in 2011? Or Swansea boss Garry Monk publically demanding he ‘wise up’ after receiving a series of silly cautions, as reported by The Telegraph.
That inner rage remains. He has only recently returned from a five game suspension after being found guilty of abusing Wolves midfielder Romain Saiss. And, just a few games prior, he received a straight red for an altercation with Nottingham Forest captain Henri Lansbury.
Divisive star continues to show he is a big risk for Newcastle
Yet, his performance at Molineux on Saturday, amid 90 minutes of unrepeatable chants and toxic boos, suggests that the young man has grown up.
“It was not an easy game for him but I think he did well,” Rafael Benitez said in quotes reported by The Chronicle. “He showed composure and a cool mind.
“He is a professional and he knows you have to concentrate on the game.”
25-year-old’s future in the air; Newcastle’s January activity does not bode well
It’s too soon to proclaim Shelvey a changed man but this is exactly the sort of atmosphere that may previously have proved the catalyst for an implosion.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
