Newcastle United have decided to keep young midfielder Matty Longstaff at the club for the foreseeable future, according to journalist David Coverdale.
The Sun reporter revealed the news on his personal Twitter account on Thursday, claiming that the 19-year-old will be remaining at St James’ Park for now.
He wrote: “Barring any late surprises, understand Matty Longstaff will be staying at #nufc and not going out on loan.”
OPINION
This seems like a bit of a strange decision on the face of it. The younger Longstaff, brother of first team star Sean, of course, has looked really terrific for the Magpies in pre season. However, is he likely to get much first team football at St James’ Park this season? Probably not, you’d have to stay. He’s just 19 years of age and is obviously still learning his trade, and so he’s going to be behind the more senior central midfielders in the pecking order on Tyneside. His brother, Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and Ki Sung-yueng are all ahead of him in Steve Bruce’s plans, you’d have to think. Having said that, perhaps the new head coach is so high on Longstaff that he wants him as the fifth option to come in and do a job if something happens to one or more of the above group. That’s not a bad shout, but you just wonder whether his development would be better out on loan in League One or The Championship.
