Charlie Nicholas claims that Jonjo Shelvey’s future at Newcastle United could be over

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Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has been reportedly attracting interest from West Ham United.

Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has stated that if Jonjo Shelvey doesn’t feel ‘loved’ or ‘wanted’ at Newcastle then it’s time for him to ‘move on’.

The 27-year-old has not featured in Rafa Benitez’s Premier League matchday squad since the start of January and has not started a league game for the club since October.

The Sun on Sunday (3/3; page 69) recently claimed that London outfit West Ham plan to make a fresh move for the midfielder in the summer, with the Magpies seemingly prepared to part ways with their player.

Speaking on Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News (02/03/2019 at 1:50 pm), Nicholas was in agreement that Shelvey’s career at St James’ Park is over as Phil Thompson also added in his thoughts.

“Yes, he is well down [the pecking order],” Nicholas told Soccer Saturday. “We always said that ‘Shelvey has to play’ if they want to be a progressive team. If they want to knock balls forward.

“Yes, sometimes he goes for too many Hollywood passes. We know he has got the ability. But if he doesn’t feel wanted and loved, it’s time to move on. And he doesn’t hang about.

“Thompson added: “I think it’s been like that for a while. We have heard Jonjo being mentioned with West Ham. Maybe it is, maybe Jonjo sees that.”

During their previous Premier League fixture, the Magpies suffered a 2-0 defeat at West Ham, who had Mark Noble, Manuel Lanzini and Declan Rice playing in the middle of the park.

Nonetheless, the emergence of academy product Sean Longstaff has resulted in Shelvey falling down the pecking order, with Isaac Hayden partnering him in midfield in recent weeks and Mo Diame being the experienced man coming off the bench.

Ki Sung-yueng is another name that has jumped ahead of Shelvey despite the South Korea international not starting enough games this season following his free transfer in the summer.

During his career in England’s top-flight, Shelvey has played for Liverpool and Swansea, but he has only made more than 100 appearances for the Toon Army [transfermarkt].