Newcastle United legend Mick Quinn believes that midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is on borrowed time at the club.
He says that the 27-year-old is an “extremely talented” player since he signed from Swansea in 2016, but says that him not being able to make the team on a regular basis means that his time is running out at St James’ Park.
Quinn adds that this is why a holding midfielder needs to be signed in the summer, especially with Isaac Hayden looking likely to leave, with Mo Diame potentially following him.
“In midfield, Sean Longstaff has been a revelation and should start next season in the team – but I think upgrades are needed beyond him,” he said in his Chronicle column.
“Isaac Hayden will likely leave, Mo Diame could follow, and Jonjo Shelvey is on borrowed time at Newcastle in my opinion. He is an extremely talented midfielder, but he is too inconsistent – and can’t even get in the team at the moment.
“A top-class holding-midfielder is needed, as is a wing-back/full-back.”
OPINION
As sad as it seems to say it, Shelvey is on borrowed time at Newcastle now. The fact that a talented midfielder like him cannot get into the team on a regular basis is not good enough, and that is even with Longstaff injured at the moment. Seeing as he has not played in so long, it looks like Rafa Benitez is not keen on risking him even when one of his best players are injured. For Shelvey, this must be a right kick in the teeth, especially as he was one of Newcastle’s key players in the last campaign. That being said though, he has not been good enough when he has been given the opportunity to play, so you could argue that he demise has been partly his own fault. The rise of Longstaff has not helped things obviously, but Quinn is right – he is running on borrowed time, as it is hard to see him playing a major role next season.
