"When you work with him you realise he’s an incredible technician and can play all sorts of passes, long and short. In terms of our philosophy, he’s someone who’ll be very important to us."
Eddie Howe raised more than a few eyebrows among Newcastle United supporters when he singled out Jonjo Shelvey for praise following his appointment in November. The 30-year-old playmaker was immediately identified as a key figure to the short-term rebuild, despite having previously endured a mixed stint at St James' Park.
Shelvey's talent in possession has rarely been called into question, but petulant red cards and concerns over his work rate had prevented the midfielder from ever fully winning over the fanbase. The former Liverpool and Swansea City star fell out of favour under Rafa Benitez, and seemed set to depart before the popular Toon boss walked away in the summer of 2019.
Handed a fresh start by Steve Bruce, Shelvey enjoyed something of a renaissance and earned a new contract after finishing the 2019/20 season as Newcastle's top goalscorer in the Premier League. But for years, the Magpies' midfield had lacked the capacity to dictate proceedings and press opponents, and the ex-England international was often subject to criticism as a result.
The Howe era began with Shelvey selected in a two-man partnership with Joe Willock, and only a muscle injury for the home defeat to Manchester City in December has prevented the midfielder starting all 16 matches so far. Newcastle's performances steadily improved, and it took a Ciaran Clark red card and a Joelinton transformation no-one saw coming for the new head coach to find the right midfield balance.
Shelvey has excelled at the base of a midfield trio in a front-foot approach which now sees Newcastle exhibit confidence in possession. Joelinton and Willock may be tasked with providing the legs and contributing more in the opposing box, but that has not stopped the midfield anchor from chipping in with the opening goal at Anfield and the vital winner at relegation rivals Leeds United.
The social media response to Shelvey's apology to fans for his own display in the victory over Brighton stands as proof of this turnaround. The Seagulls enjoyed 68% of possession, but the majority of supporters insist the midfielder had nothing to apologise for after another industrious display.
In the words of former England boss and Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle, Shelvey had not been every manager's 'cup of tea' on Tyneside. But the holding midfielder's displays, alongside those of Joelinton and Willock, have quietened regular calls for Bruno Guimaraes' selection in recent weeks.
The irony of Shelvey's latest and arguably most emphatic black-and-white revival is that it comes at a time when his future at the club could be in doubt. The statement signing of Guimaraes and the new owners' ambitions have placed question marks over the majority of the squad in both the short and medium-term.
Shelvey himself has admitted the club's 'exciting' future means his future and those who helped Newcastle secure an immediate return to the Premier League in 2017 could be limited. He told the club's website: "We know we're not getting any younger. We're getting older. The club wants to move on with getting players in and getting players out.
"But until we're told we’re no longer required, we're just going to continue to do our jobs to the best of our abilities. That's all that we can do, to be honest with you. But it's exciting – I want to be a part of it, and I will continue to be a part of it until I'm told otherwise."
Shelvey's current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2023, although a recent Daily Telegraph report indicates a contract extension is forthcoming. It would likely be a popular decision among fans judging by recent performances, and one that would also prove Howe right with one of his earliest and boldest calls as Newcastle's head coach.
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