Matty Longstaff was “actually desperate” to go out on loan over the summer, according to The Athletic.
The young Newcastle United midfielder has broken into the first team in recent weeks, but it is claimed that prior to the new campaign, he wanted to play first team football by leaving the club for a temporary stint.
A report from the Athletic reads: “One source recalls: ‘Matty was actually desperate to go out on loan. He was saying, ‘All my mates are going. I want to go and play.’
“Yet [Shola] Ameobi intervened, telling Longstaff in no uncertain terms that he could seize an opportunity under a new manager and may break into the first team within months.”
OPINION
Longstaff must be incredibly thankful that he listened to Ameobi and waited for his chance with his boyhood club. His debut was one of the finest you are ever likely to see in the Premier League, and his goal against Manchester United, plus an all-round performance that earned him a Whoscored rating of 8.05, will live long in the memory on Tyneside. He has perhaps waned a little in recent weeks, but the message is clear – Longstaff has made the step up, and he is here to stay. If he had gone out on loan that process would no doubt have taken a whole lot longer. Competition for places is fierce in the centre of the park for the Magpies, with Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, and Sean Longstaff also in contention, but looking at things in the long term, you’d be surprised if we didn’t see Matty in the engine room at St. James’ Park for years to come.
