Tony Cottee suggests Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey deserves World Cup consideration.
Tony Cottee has told Sky Sports that England boss Gareth Southgate should keep a very close eye on Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, whom he rates as the best passer that the Three Lions can possibly call on at the World Cup in Russia this summer.
Shelvey has enjoyed an excellent last few months for Newcastle, playing a pivotal role in helping the Magpies move 10th in the Premier League and 10 points clear of danger.
The former Liverpool ace really started getting attention back in February after a brilliant performance in the 1-0 win over Manchester United at St James’s Park.
Despite his form, the 26-year-old is by no means guaranteed to make Southgate’s World Cup squad, with the former Aston Villa defender boasting an array of fine midfield talent.
But Cottee tells Sky Sports that Shelvey – a £12 million signing from Swansea in 2015 – should certainly be considered, claiming that he can unlock defences that his English rivals cannot.
He said: “Whether you are talking about Eric Dier, Jake Livermore, Jack Wilshere or Jordan Henderson, whoever you name that’s been in that England squad, there isn’t anyone who can pass the ball better than Shelvey.
“He needs to keep doing it for the last five or six games, but if he carries on like he is, he deserves to have a chance of getting on that plane. When we are playing the likes of Tunisia and Panama, we’re going to have a lot of the ball. You need someone who can do something different.
“You need a Wilshere in the team, or a Shelvey, who can open up defences. You don’t want loads of workmanlike midfielders who don’t create and pass the ball.”
Cottee might well be right. According to Opta, only three English midfielders – Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson and Dale Stephens – have completed more accurate long balls than the Newcastle man, who is trumped by only Dele Alli in regards to successful through balls.
He can make things happen and Cottee is correct – Southgate has to consider him.
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