BENITEZ BACKS SEAN TO HAVE BIG FUTURE
LONGSTAFF CAN HAVE INTERNATIONAL FUTURE ... BUT MUST FOCUS ON HIS CLUB
Rafa Benitez says Sean Longstaff can go on and play for his country, if he keeps his focus on his club.
The midfielder has started Newcastle United’s last nine league and cup games.
Longstaff was outstanding in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town. And the 21-year-old could make a 10th consecutive start against Burnley at St James’s Park tonight.
Aidy Boothroyd, England’s Under-21 manager, watched Longstaff against Huddersfield, and Benitez believes that the Newcastle-born player is capable of playing international football.
“I like to see my players going to the national team, but it has to be the right one,” said United’s manager.
“I don’t care if it’s Under-20, 21s or even the senior side, but I think he needs to go one step at a time.
“One thing I can say about Sean is that he’s humble, professional and focused. He’s a player who can be consistent. If we start talking too much about him, and how well he is doing every week, then it’s always a risk for young players.
“I think he’s fine. The steps are right, and he’s doing what he has to do. I think there are not too many English players with his quality. I think he will go. He just has to be sure that, when he does, he plays well and it will be another experience for him.
“But I don’t think he will have any rush to go to the national team – it’s just one step at a time.
“He wouldn’t look out of place (with England’s Under21s). I think he will go. But the main thing, for me, is to keep him calm and keep him working as hard as he is now.
“I think he can go, because he’s doing well and playing in the Premier League. There aren’t too many with his quality.”
Meanwhile, Benitez is ready to change his team – and could use Miguel Almiron off the bench.
Almiron, signed from Atlanta United last month in a club-record deal, was outstanding on Saturday.
However, Benitez may leave him out of the starting XI given that the midfielder is still getting up to speed in the Premier League.
United’s manager also has Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame and Ki Sung-yueng pushing for recalls, and he has hinted at changes for the Burnley game.
“If you play one game a week then maybe it’s OK and you can repeat and keep the same players,” said Benitez.
“If you play again in three days, you have to consider the effort of the other game and who can cope with the physicality and the intensity. Can the same starters start the game? Yes, they could do it, but maybe physically they will lose something.”