BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks was wowed by Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey after the Toon’s 1-0 win against Leeds United on Saturday.
Writing in his Team of the Week column, the former Tottenham attacker lauded the 29-year-old’s performance at Elland Road. Shelvey was key to Newcastle’s win against Leeds, with the result putting the Toon within touching distance of Premier League safety.
Since the arrival of Eddie Howe, Shelvey has looked like a new player, with the former Swansea City maestro commanding the midfield and playing an important role in a new-look Newcastle team.
Indeed, Shelvey has impressed in recent weeks, so much so that Crooks even suggested that Newcastle’s Public Investment Fund owners (PIF) could save millions on a new central midfielder after the former England international’s performance against Leeds.
The BBC Sport pundit said about Shelvey’s performance against Leeds: “I said the last time I selected Shelvey for my team that he looked fitter than I had seen him for some time and in the mood.”
Crooks added: “I also said it could save Eddie Howe a great deal of money in the transfer market if he could keep this lad level headed and retaining a sense of responsibility.”
Shelvey performance against Leeds showed he still has Newcastle future
Shelvey has turned from one of the most infuriating Newcastle players to one of the most reliable since the arrival of Howe in the northeast, and the midfielder’s display against Leeds shows that the 29-year-old could still have a future with the club.
Of course, a central midfielder could be helpful for Newcastle with the position lacking in both depth and quality outside of Shelvey. Yet the east London-born maestro could remain part of the club after yet another impressive display under the new Toon manager.
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