Sean Longstaff has opened up about his future at Newcastle United - insisting he wants to stay and that Eddie Howe can take him on to the next level.
In a candid interview, the 24-year-old, who has waited patiently during contract talks after last signing a new deal in 2018, admits that his development at the club suffered before head coach Howe's arrival last year. Longstaff broke into the team in the 2018/19 season under Rafa Benitez and his progress immediately caught the attention of Manchester United.
Now, though, he is keen to progress at St James' Park and continue to improve under Howe. Speaking after the 3-0 win over Norwich, Longstaff said: "All you can do is concentrate on yourself. Ultimately, if you are giving your best and you don't get in the team then you have to accept that.
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"But as long as I am doing everything I can do that's the most important thing. There are people here that want to help you improve and get better.
"So when you do get a chance you are ready to step in and put in a good performance. The lads that have played have been excellent.
"I'm not stupid, it's not like they don't deserve it because they do. The whole squad is playing well and that's what happens when you have confidence.
"For me, with the position, we were in it would have been selfish to think about myself and what is going to happen with me in the future on what's going to happen or what's not going to happen. I am just focusing on the best footballer I can be. Hopefully that will be here.
"If it's not then it's not, I am just focused on being the best Sean Longstaff I can be and see where that takes me."
Longstaff's contract talks have been going on since 2019 under Steve Bruce during the Mike Ashley era. With new owners now in place they have continued in the past six months.
But the Geordie midfielder stated the club's precarious position had to come before his own. Longstaff said: "Absolutely, with the position, we were in we could have been relegated, so if I was sitting there sulking and worrying about me and not about the team. That puts me at a disadvantage.
"That's not the right thing to do. Obviously we are safe now. Maybe I can put a little thought into what might happen, but as I say, what will be, will be.
"That has always been my mindset in everything I have done. I want to be the best I can be and where that takes me, it takes me. I will be happy with that."
Howe, who has declared his admiration for Longstaff and would like him to stay, named the Toon midfielder in his starting line-up for the 3-0 win at Carrow Road. After it, Longstaff heaped praise on Howe for making him a better player.
Longstaff said: "It was great - I have been champing at the bit to get in. When the team is playing well you have to hold your hands up and accept the people in front of you are playing well and producing.
"It's going to be hard at times. But under this manager, I feel I have improved so much and in training, with him, that is a big thing for me.
"I feel I am young enough and maybe in the last couple of years that learning and development bit was missing a little. That was disappointing for me.
"But the manager has come in and his staff and done little extra bits with me. I think now you can see the way we are playing I feel when I play I am a lot more confident in what I'm doing.
"You are playing with Bruno who comes in and makes the game a lot easier. It's all positive and great to be a part of."
