Newcastle United have all the groundwork to become one of the world’s biggest clubs following their multi-million pound takeover in October and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey predicts them to become as big as the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
A £90 million spend in the January transfer window was just a taste of what could yet come for the Magpies in the future, beginning with this summer, as Amanda Staveley and co set about taking the club to new heights.
But Shelvey knows the realisation of his own future if Newcastle are to sign top quality talent, and has made a bold admission over his place in the Magpies squad despite starring for Eddie Howe ’s side this campaign.
In an honest and open interview with Sky Sports, the 30-year-old said: “I’m not thick. I know this club is going to evolve and go only one way. But while I’m here, I just need to keep progressing, get the manager to get the best out of me & me repay that with performances.
“Hopefully I can be here for a good few years. I want to show the club that I warrant a couple more years. I’d happily hold my hands up and say I don’t deserve to be here if I felt I can’t play at this top level any more, but I want to stay as long as I can and be part of it all.”
Shelvey signed from Swansea City in January 2016 for a reported fee of £12m and has since gone on to make almost 200 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 18 goals. While he has received criticism in recent season’s, he has become a huge figure in Howe’s team this campaign.
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Forming part of a solid midfield trio alongside Joe Willock and Joelinton, the Magpies have completely changed their fortunes around this season and have gone from relegation favourites to top half contenders in the second half of the campaign. Of their 13 top flight fixtures in 2022, they have won eight, losing just three.
The £90 million spend in the January transfer window has played a huge part in that success, with the signings of Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett all helping to play a huge part in their revival as they have created a 12 point gap over the bottom three.
But that near £100m spend is only the start of what is to come for a club who now have ambitions of winning trophies and becoming a dominant force in the Premier League, and eventually Europe. The upcoming summer transfer window could even exceed that spending spree, as the Magpies look to kick on next season.
And Shelvey has seen enough in the past six months to suggest that the St. James’ Park outfit have the capability to reach the great heights of PSG and Man City, and believes there is no limit to what the club can achieve under its new owners.
He told Sky Sports : “Let’s not sugar coat it, we needed to be taken over. Everyone at the club is pulling in the one direction - the camaraderie around the place is something I’ve not seen before.
“This club will be massive. I’m talking PSG and Man City massive. It’ll take time, and it’s a building process, but Newcastle can go to the top. We just all need to be patient. All I want is to be a part of the process.”
