The midfielder has been a key figure in Newcastle’s bright start to the Championship season.
Jonjo Shelvey was one of Newcastle’s marquee signings during January of last season, but his move could not inspire a Newcastle revival.
In fact, he spent most of his time sat on the bench once current manager Rafael Benitez arrived, with the Spaniard opting for a defensive pair of Jack Colback and Cheick Tiote instead.
The former Swansea man had made a bright start in black and white, and was made temporary captain by Steve McClaren in the absence of Fabricio Coloccini, but his performances began to dip and it looked as though Newcastle had wasted £12 million on an inconsistent and at times anonymous midfielder.
Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey shoots
This season, in the Championship, Shelvey has had a turn of fortunes, and has shown why is arguably the best central midfielder in the league, pulling the stings home and away and helping Newcastle to third place after 11 games.
Here are some key stats from Shelvey’s opening 11 games of the Championship season.
| Assists | Chances Created | Goals | Ball Recovery | Duels Won | Total Passes | Touches | Appearances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonjo Shelvey | 3 | 22 | 3 | 60 | 31 | 548 | 692 | 11 |
In comparison, here is how the 24-year-old fared in the areas in the Premier League for Newcastle last term.
| | Assists | Chances Created | Goals | Ball Recovery | Duels Won | Total Passes | Touches | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonjo Shelvey | 3 | 19 | 0 | 74 | 39 | 648 | 823 | 15 |
Brought in as a creative midfielder, Shelvey has already created more chances for his teammates this season than he did last season and he has done it in four less games. He has also registered the same number of assists in fewer minutes, and has managed to get on the score sheet three times, three more than he did in the Premier League for Newcastle.
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey celebrates after he scored their second goal
Although the England international did complete more passes, receive more touches, win more duels and complete more ball recoveries last season, on average he has actually improved in the Championship.
Shelvey is completed on average 6.8 more passes per game and touching the ball eight more times per game.
Newcastle’s number 12 is having a much bigger impact on games and is becoming the midfield force he should have when he first arrived. It may be later than anticipated, but Shelvey’s Newcastle career is flourishing when it looked as though it may just fizzle out.
Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey applauds fans after the game
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