Jonjo Shelvey came back into the side this past weekend, and it paid big dividends for the struggling Newcastle team. His ability to pick a pass and with set-pieces made him an inspired choice for a side that had shown little threat on goal this season.
Steve Bruce made the following comments about the 27-year-old after his West Ham performance:
“I just thought Jonjo, if we needed a pass, could give a pass. With set-pieces, he’s made one and scored one.
“Always, in the back of my mind, I knew he was a West Ham fan, so this is a stage he wants to play on. He was very good, he’s got to maintain it. I got the decision right.”
Jonjo joined Newcastle from Swansea in January of 2016 on a five and a half year deal. That deal is continuing to wind its way down, leaving Jonjo as one of many current Magpies whose contracts are set to expire in the summer of 2021.
However, we would have thought that Jonjo would be behind a few of his teammates in getting a new deal sorted out. Jonjo has not featured consistently at Newcastle since the 2017-18 season due to a variety of reasons.
While last season he was hampered with a thigh injury; this season, he failed to secure his starting place after the first two games.
With Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden, and Matt Ritchie all having their deals expire at the same time as Shelvey, it would seem logical that Newcastle would try to tie down those three before Jonjo.
However, the Northern Echo have a surprising report that it is, in fact, Shelvey who will be the next to get a new contract at Newcastle.
The report states that Shelvey is close to signing an extension. If true, this is somewhat of a shock due to his inconsistent form. He also is one of the top earners at the club and could also fetch a decent fee in the January window.
There is reportedly interest in Shelvey from not only West Ham but Crystal Palace as well. However, Jonjo is settled in the North East and has always maintained his desire to continue as a Magpie.
The report states that it is a growing priority for Newcastle to get the likes of Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden, and Matt Ritchie on new deals in addition to Shelvey. They also remain diligent in getting both Longstaff brothers tied down for years to come.
Martin Dubravka was signed up on a new six-year contract a couple of weeks ago. There was speculation whether that would spark a procession of new deals after the first one was completed. We’ll see if Shelvey is the next domino to fall and how quickly the club can get some of these key players tied down.
17 comments so far
G
Nov 5, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Comment #1Deserves one for the free kicks on Sat alone.
hibbit
Nov 5, 2019 at 12:52 PM
Comment #2Lilon
the Northern Echo are usually quite reliable with snippet’s like this, one thing it doesn’t make clear is if he’s got the on a permanent or temporary bases ??
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Nov 5, 2019 at 12:53 PM
Comment #3I would be wary of giving him a contract too soon hes on 70k a week roughly is he going to get a better contract than that anywhere else at his age?
Need to see him knuckle down till at least January playing as many games as possible , putting a shift in and getting some consistent end product! Involved in 2 goals at the weekend but he needs to be doing this regularly!
His lack of mobility would always be a worry the older he gets as well would be looking to get Hayden and Schar signed up first to be honest!
hibbit
Nov 5, 2019 at 12:53 PM
Comment #4*job*
boss hoggs atm
Nov 5, 2019 at 1:05 PM
Comment #5No new contract, we need a younger more mobile version of shelvey, we need someone who turns up every week…
The next Mike Williamson
Nov 5, 2019 at 1:40 PM
Comment #6the two longstaffs will continue to improve so he could find it increasingly difficult to play
cyprus
Nov 5, 2019 at 2:21 PM
Comment #7This is a difficult one! He’s on big money and inconsistent. If it’s last game’s Shelvey, sign him up.
Hope everyone doesn’t get carried away now. We’re still a work in progress.
I predict that both teams will score. I’m thinking, draw.
jasper
Nov 5, 2019 at 2:28 PM
Comment #8On the highlights on the previous post I note the ASM was body checked twice and I recall that this happened to Miggy as well. No bookings.
I am convinced that opposition teams are determined to take them out, and injure them if need be. Miggy was on the receiving end of some nasty fouls last season that went unpunished. I particularly remember Noble for WH.
Bruce needs to protect them by highlighting this behaviour at every opportunity and get some pressure on the refs.
RobLeenio
Nov 5, 2019 at 2:31 PM
Comment #9Summer of 2021 he’ll be 29 as his birthday is February, so realistically in his prime as a midfielder, with the expectation that he could play in CM until he’s 34-35.
He’s currently on £70k / week, which is ridiculous money but not extravagant compared to many other footballers.
So, he’ll hold his value for at least another couple of seasons, as long as he plays, but that value would start drop as he got towards the end of his current contract in 2021 if it wasn’t sorted out now.
This seems to be the club protecting their assets, which is sensible. We could still sell him at any point for good money regardless of if he signs a new contract or not.
RobLeenio
Nov 5, 2019 at 2:31 PM
Comment #10Oh, and well said The Wife on the previous thread, too.
RobLeenio
Nov 5, 2019 at 2:34 PM
Comment #11jasper, I think you mentioned just this body-checking the other day, too? If not you, then someone did.
Absolutely it needs to be highlighted – it’s cynical and dangerous for a player moving at the speed which ASM and Miggy do. One of the West Ham players must have moved 2 metres sideways to block off ASM.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 5, 2019 at 2:35 PM
Comment #12i’m always a little incredulous when I read comments like ‘he needs to knuckle down and work harder’
Whenever I’ve seen him play (most of the games he’s played in, albeit on TV) he’s worked as hard as anyone else on the pitch and he’s just as mobile as any of our players.
His age is a peak age for a player of his type and I reckon he’s got at least another 5 good EPL years left in him.
Would other EPL clubs be interested in a lazy has been?
I really hope he doesn’t read some ( not really that many) of the negative comments on this blog.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 5, 2019 at 2:44 PM
Comment #13The Wife
You must feel a bit like Sissyphus at times in your efforts to stem the tide of insults that are unfortunately a constant on the blog now.
Some people are just incapable it would seem of letting the petty insults go and ignoring them.
Yes sometimes cracks are made as a genuine attempt at humour and they sometimes get an unnecessary overreaction.
But the outright nastiness I’m afraid is going to be hard to stop, regretabbly!
Marmike
Nov 5, 2019 at 3:11 PM
Comment #14Needs to substituted earlier as he seems to run out of steam by 70 mins and becomes more of a vulnerability defensively and there are plenty of options on the bench.
Marmike
Nov 5, 2019 at 3:12 PM
Comment #15That is Shelvey I am referring to!
Moonraker15
Nov 5, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Comment #16SB on giving Jonjo a start against West Ham, “I got the decision right” !
So by definition he got the decisions not to play him in other games wrong!
Bruce has a knack of taking every opportunity to take credit when actually Sean Longstaff was suspended and Isaac Hayden was available so the team picked itself.
I’ve noticed he’s also not shy to criticise individual players rather than be diplomatic and his “humble” attitude is really annoying, playing the press against the fans! Eg “Maybe one day I’ll get the same support as Rafa” ! Dream on mate!
cyprus
Nov 5, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Comment #17Moonraker
It’s a results business, if we keep getting them the tide will turn. Simple.
There’s an ‘if’ in there.