Jonjo Shelvey is available for selection for Newcastle United against Leeds United.
Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey
The BBC report Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey is available for selection this weekend against Leeds United, after contesting a FA disciplinary charge against him.
This is ominous news for opponents Leeds, as head coach Garry Monk knows all about him from his time at Swansea City.
Monk was Swansea manager when Shelvey was called into the England squad, and spoke glowingly about the former Charlton Athletic academy graduate.
Speaking to The Mail in 2015, Monk gave Shelvey his full backing, talking up his international credentials.
He said: “He’s a great lad with a great personality. Keep him motivated every single day and focused and he can produce his best football.
“His technical ability is excellent and it’s just trying to get him to a level where he can perform to that for every single 90 minutes, week in, week out.”
Former Swansea manager Garry Monk
This was several months after Monk had a heart to heart with Shelvey, and his father, after publicly calling him out, in order to try and get a reaction out of him, having got fed up of him picking up silly bookings.
He told The Express: “He has to learn – otherwise he won’t play games. He must do the work instead of being lazy. Then he won’t pick up the yellow cards and risk a red. I shouldn’t have to be worrying about that.
“His ability is frightening and this may sound harsh but he’s not a kid any more. He has been around long enough at the top level to know what it is.”
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey celebrates after he scored their second goal
Monk certainly tried with Shelvey, but by the end of his tenure he had effectively given up with him.
Despite the Swans being in a losing run, Shelvey was consigned to the bench, and even after Monk was sacked, Swansea decided the best option was to cut their losses and sell him to Newcastle.
Shelvey had hoped the move would reinvigorate his England chances for a Euro 2016 spot, but it did not work, with Rafa Benitez often leaving him on the bench amid Newcastle’s relegation fight.
The 24-year-old has bounced back this season, starting 14 of Newcastle’s 16 Championship games, scoring three goals and providing five assists.
It would be no surprise to see him haunt former boss Garry Monk this weekend at Elland Road.
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey celebrates with manager Rafael Benitez
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