The Newcastle United midfield has been giving Eddie Howe a headache all season, but now it is the type of headache that he will not mind.
Up until the past couple of games, Newcastle United have lacked balance in the middle of the park. Eddie Howe even admitted last week that Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton could play better together.
That has been the preferred trio, but things have now changed.
Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock have started Newcastle’s previous two games – a 2-0 win over Chelsea and a 1-0 win over Arsenal.
Against Arsenal, they were joined by Bruno Guimaraes, and Newcastle finally had the balance in midfield that they have been craving.
Sean Longstaff was quietly outstanding for Newcastle against Arsenal
That was largely down to Willock. He took a lot of the headlines, with Micah Richards praising Willock’s contribution on the left alongside Lewis Hall and Joelinton.
But Sean Longstaff was just as important on the right of Newcastle’s midfield three. He is the least fashionable midfielder at Newcastle United, but can often be the most pivotal.
His work off the ball is outstanding, which is why Eddie Howe always tries his best to find a way to get him in the starting XI. Interestingly, Longstaff started on the bench for four out of the five winless Premier League games that Newcastle just endured.
But Longstaff returned against Arsenal, and put in the type of performance that saw him play the best football of his career during the 2022/23 season.
The 27-year-old did not do anything too extravagant. He only had 31 touches, completing 14 out of the 17 passes that he attempted.
But it was his work off the ball that made the difference. No player completed more tackles than Longstaff on Saturday, with the Geordie midfielder winning the ball back on six occasions. In comparison, Arsenal’s midfield duo of Declan Rice and Mikel Merino only won three tackles between them.
Particularly in these big games, Longstaff proved why he is a vital cog in the Newcastle United machine.
Longstaff performance poses Sandro Tonali problem
That gives Howe a problem – a £55million problem.
While Longstaff quietly went about his business in the best way possible and Willock showcased his athleticism, Sandro Tonali was sitting on the bench.
Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever was dropped, despite the Chelsea game being Tonali’s best Toon performance ever.
It was a shock to see Tonali not start, but it proved to be the correct decision. But now Howe has a dilemma, as it is unclear how he actually gets the £55million man in his starting XI.
That combination of Joelinton and Willock on the left is making Newcastle tick, while Longstaff is doing a job that seemingly no one else can. And there is no way that Bruno misses out.
It is a nice problem to have, as Newcastle’s biggest frustration becomes their biggest strength. The Magpies are blessed with quality midfielders, to the point that Tonali might struggle to start despite playing out of his skin in the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea.
It is a complete contrast to last season, when Newcastle’s midfield picked itself week after week. That gave Howe a different kind of headache, which is why he will certainly not turn his nose up at this issue.
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