HE’S JONGO SHELVEY
FOOTBALL Bruce: Midfielder back and ‘like a caged tiger set free’
STEVE BRUCE says Jonjo Shelvey has returned from lockdown ‘like a caged tiger that has been released’.
Newcastle United’s boss is purring having seen the response from his enigmatic midfielder to the enforced break in the Premier League season.
Shelvey had been enjoying life under Bruce – producing some of the best football of his career – as the penny finally appeared to have dropped.
The former Liverpool man, 28, has always had the ability and has six
England caps to his name.
Doubts remained however, about whether his maturity matched his quality.
But the Toon chief (above) believes that could be changing and said: “Whatever Jonjo has been doing during lockdown one thing’s for certain – he hasn’t been messing around – he’s in great shape.
Flying
“He’s been like a caged tiger that we have set free for the first time. He’s absolutely flying. I’ve been delighted with him.
“Everyone knows what a good footballer he is. There’s no argument on that one.
“Anyone who has watched him from afar can see the quality he has. When you get up close and see him play on a daily basis, it only confirms that he is a player with exceptional talent.
“As far as natural ability goes, he has got it by the bucketload. What has been up for debate is his temperament.
“From afar you do make a judgement. But it’s different when you work with someone. He’s proving me wrong on that one. And I’m delighted to be proved wrong. We have worked with him for eight or nine months now and he’s done everything we have asked of him.
“He’s settled down with his family. He has been terrific. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m really pleased for him – and with him.”
But the Magpies’ manager did strike a note of caution, saying that Shelvey (right) should use this praise as an invitation to rest on his laurels – but to kick on.
Matured
Bruce added: “You never want to say this as a manager because it can slap you in the face if you say it about the wrong player but I do think he’s matured.
“It’s partly reflected in the statistics. Leading up to the break, he had five goals and few assists. With 10 matches still to play, that’s not a bad return.
“Can he make that seven, eight or nine during the remainder of the matches? I hope so. How many midfielders are doing that in the Premier League?
“Having said all of that, the challenge for Jonjo is that he shouldn’t be happy with staying at a level that marks him down as a ‘very good’ player. He should be aiming to become an exceptional player. He has the time left to do that.
“He certainly has the ability to become a real top-drawer operator. And, at the moment, he looks the real deal.”
Despite the ongoing delay over the Premier League giving Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabian consortium the go-ahead to assume control from Mike Ashley, some majr decisions are being taken by the current regime.
The Magpies have not given up their fight to keep hold of Matty Longstaff, the academy graduate who is out of contract this summer.
Issues
They are keen to put a fresh deal in front of him in order to prevent Udinese from snaring him on a free transfer.
Rumours are rife that the Serie A club will then flip Longstaff’s registration during the next window, selling him on to Watford, another under the ownership of the Pozzo family.
Bruce also has issues to settle with Andy Carroll and Javier Manquillo, who are both of out of contract at the end of June.