GARETH PROVED RIGHT ON SHELVEY

THIS time last year, Gareth Southgate faced increasing pressure to acknowledge the international pedigree of Jonjo Shelvey. He was the player who could unlock the midfield for England at the World Cup, apparently. Southgate undertook regular scouting missions and studied the numbers. The odd ambitious pass on a Match of the Day highlights reel did not equate to a world-class playmaker, he decided. Shelvey (right) was good for Newcastle, but no higher. Even with England in the semi-final, however, Shelvey’s absence was still an issue for some. As it stands, after a spell out with injury, Shelvey is currently struggling to regain his Newcastle place. He hasn’t even been on the bench in the last two matches and his manager, Rafael Benitez, is counselling patience, which is hardly encouraging. Not the worst judge, the England manager, mind. Not the worst judge at all.