Jonjo Shelvey is an 'unbelievable' player who impresses in training for Newcastle United on a daily basis. That is the view of Magpies prospect Joe White, who only realised 'how good' the playmaker was when he started playing alongside him.
Shelvey has endured his shares of ups and downs since signing for Newcastle in January 2016 from Swansea City. The former Liverpool playmaker played a key role in United's promotion season and subsequently fell out of favour under Rafa Benitez, only to enjoy a renaissance under Steve Bruce.
Eddie Howe immediately identified the ex-England international as someone who will be 'very important' to his rebuild at St James' Park. Shelvey has found some of his best form in black-and-white in recent weeks alongside Joelinton and Joe Willock during Newcastle's nine-match unbeaten run.
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Academy prospect White played alongside the 30-year-old for the under-23s earlier this season as the stand-in skipper returned from injury, and has since trained alongside him with the first-team. The talented teenager - who has given ChronicleLive an extended interview after signing a new three-year deal - hopes he has earned the 'respect' of his senior colleague who he namechecked as the player who impresses most in training.
White said: "I think he's the first one that comes to mind. He's that good. I came up at 16 under Steve Bruce, and we were doing a mini game on a half-pitch. He just got the ball and chipped the 'keeper. I don't know who was the goalie at the time, he wasn't even far off his line and he's just chipped him from the halfway line.
"He just walked away like nothing has happened, and I just looked at him like wow. Then I think he did the same again in the first session this season.
"Some of the things he does, he is so intelligent with the ball and his technique. Everyone in that squad is unbelievable, but Jonjo is the one that has impressed me the most.
"He dropped down and played a couple of under-23 games, and he spoke to me throughout and after that game. He kind of took me under his wing when I came up permanently, you have to earn their respect when you're playing and training with them.
"Hopefully I've done that. I was playing in a midfield two with him, and I felt I had to play well if I was going to be up there permanently."
Shelvey's place in the Magpies' starting eleven has been called into question by sections of the fanbase in recent seasons. However, White feels the playmaker has been a 'vital part' of Newcastle's revival this term.
He added: "Honestly, I knew he was class but as soon as I went up and started training and playing with him, I think that's when I actually realised how good he was. Fans might not see some of those things.
"It is one of them when you play with him, you want him on your team in mini-games in training. He's been a vital part of this recent good run, he's unbelievable."
