Former Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer has claimed that Newcastle youngster Sean Longstaff should look to emulate Manchester United defender Phil Jones.
The pair worked together at Bloomfield Road last season, where Longstaff made a lasting impression on Bowyer with a string of impressive displays.
And the 47-year-old is excited by the 20-year-old’s development: “Personally, as a coach and as a manager, I’m delighted to see the progress he’s made in pre-season,” he told Newcastle’s official website.
“I was fortunate enough to be in Nottingham two weeks ago and watched him make his debut there. The last time I saw one of the players that I’d worked with make his debut was Phil Jones, at Forest ironically, so if he can go and do what Phil Jones has done then he’ll be alright.”
OPINION
Some Newcastle supporters may not be happy with Bowyer’s comparison, here. The £75,000-a-week (Spotrac) Manchester United man has become a figure of ridicule amongst some football fans for his odd facial expressions and inconsistent displays, but he’s had a good career when you look at it objectively. He’s won a Premier League title, FA Cup and Europa League, so if Longstaff can produce a fraction of what the 26-year-old has achieved then he will have done well. He’s got a long way to go yet, but he’s certainly started on the right track. The midfielder enjoyed an excellent season under Bowyer at Blackpool last season, and he’s earned great praise from his former manager as a result. Newcastle are not overly blessed with central midfielders at the moment, particularly with Jonjo Shelvey out injured, so Longstaff may well play a big part this season. If he is able to emulate what Jones has done, though, he will have done very well.
