Newcastle United will be looking to secure a top ten finish in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey has had a peculiar career. At times, he finds himself being tipped to play for England and then on other occasions, he’s nowhere near the first-team for whichever team he is playing for.
The 27-year-old has barely featured for Rafa Benitez’s side this season – he last made a Premier League start in November and has since only played 86 minutes of league football.
During the previous campaign, Shelvey was a regular under Benitez and he was the player that was the creative force in the side. Whilst his numbers didn’t dictate the attacking threat he provided, he certainly made the ball talk from deep. Performances which resulted in others talking about a potential England call-up.
The Magpies had just earned promotion from the Championship, and added with a lack of investment, they struggled to get going and were missing that creative spark.
Shelvey, when picked and on song, provided the ‘X Factor’ for the team.
But this season, there is no doubt that he has gone backwards as he now finds himself behind fellow midfielder Sean Longstaff in the pecking order.
The Newcastle academy product, who is currently on the sidelines with an injury, was unknown to those outside of St James’ Park before he made his debut a few months ago, but he is the one being tipped for an England call now, not his more experienced teammate.
It won’t be a surprise to see Shelvey depart the North East in the summer given his lack of playing time this season.
Plus, during his career, the former Liverpool and Swansea man has not managed to stay at one club beyond three years. He’s in his third year at Newcastle.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
