Starlet earns monthly award nod for surprise Toon breakthrough
SEAN Longstaff has been voted Match of the Day Magazine’s Young Player of the Month for January after a stellar set of Premier League displays.
After featuring in big clashes against Chelsea, Manchester City and Cardiff, the midfielder has quickly adapted to life in the first team - which has left Rafa Benitez with a huge call to make this weekend.
He has also since played at Wembley against Spurs and won man of the match against Wolves in the 1-1 draw.
After picking up the award, Longstaff said: “The last month or so has been great for me – I have managed to play games and played at some top grounds against some top players.
“The lads in the changing room have been great and they have helped me loads, and so have the staff.
“So as much as it is my award, it is a culmination of a lot of people helping me to get to this stage.”
Longstaff’s debut against Liverpool included a magnificent jink past Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho before firing in a shot at one of the world’s most top keepers Alisson Becker in front of the Kop.
Incidentally, it was a moment which did not make the cut on Match of the Day.
Longstaff was asked if he was gutted after watching the programme after his debut.
He joked: “A little bit, yeah! We only had two chances in the game so I thought I was going to get on on my debut but it was not to be.
“However, the whole experience of that day, and to be on the pitch with some of those players, was amazing and if that had somehow gone in it would have just capped off what was a great day for me.”