Two expert passers – but can Rafa trust Jonjo like Merino?
SHELVEY MUST PROVE HE CAN STAY IN CONTROL
MIKEL Merino has certainly settled into the pace of the Premier League very quickly.
The Newcastle United midfielder has been every impressive in the back-to-back wins against West Ham and Swansea.
He is dynamic, good on the ball and creates opportunities for his team-mates.
His performances will not have gone unnoticed as far as Jonjo Shelvey is concerned.
Hopefully it will help the midfielder wake up and realise he cannot keep doing stupid things which cost both himself and his team.
I watch Jonjo and I see a player who has so much talent that he could play for most Premier League teams.
Liverpool spotted the ability; he can pass a ball better than just about anyone in England.
But when the red mist descends, he is a liability. That is what he must sort out. He must prove he can be trusted.
Last season, Newcastle did not have an alterative to natural Shelvey. Whenever he missed games due to injury or suspension, he was straight back in the team. That is not the case any more. Now it is Shelvey who is having to work his hardest to even get back in the side – and that’s exactly how it should be Merino is the man in possession of the shirt and he seems to have struck a nice balance with Isaac Hayden alongside him. Now Shelvey knows he is going to have to be at his very best too even think about getting back into the side.
That’s why Rafa Benitez wanted Shelvey playing for the Under-23s against t Norwich on Monnday evening. .
Shelvey hasn’t played a competitive match in a month, he needs to get back up speed.
Once he does, he has to work harder than ever before to win his place back. Mick Quinn to T That will ensure M Merino keeps playin ing at a high level too – something that will only b benefit Newcastle in the long run. Competition for pla places is what every successful side needs. Hopefull Hopefully United now have that in their midfield. Shelvey has some convincing to do first though. The onus is on him to prove to Rafa he deserves to be trusted to start matches again.