There was one big surprise when Eddie Howe announced his Newcastle United starting lineup against Aston Villa, with Sandro Tonali being thrown in at the deep end.
It looked like the Italian would take some time to settle in, while Sean Longstaff‘s return to fitness suggested that he would get the nod to start.
However, that did not happen. Instead, Longstaff was on the bench, and he watched on as Tonali scored his first ever Toon goal after six minutes.
It was an outstanding performance from the 23-year-old. A dream debut. Everyone has been talking about Tonali ever since, immediately becoming the toast of Tyneside after his first ever Premier League appearance.
He took what was Longstaff’s position last season, where the local lad played so brilliantly. But for now, the 25-year-old is a substitute, and it is difficult to see him getting back in the side at this moment in time.
However, Longstaff believes that his time will come this season.
What Sean Longstaff said after emphatic Newcastle win
The Athletic’s George Caulkin has spoken on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, and shared a conversation he had with Longstaff following last weekend’s 5-1 win over Aston Villa.
“I had a brief chat with Sean after the match, not as an on the record interview, but just a chat as he walked through the mixed zone,” he said.
“He was very upbeat. He knows there’s a lot of football to be played and he knew that the little niggling injury that he had in pre-season – he picked it up in America, came back for one of those Sela Cup games – but I think he knew he was unlikely to start because of that.
“He was very sanguine. He said there’s going to be a lot of football played this season, he’ll get his games and was blown away by the performance of the team.”
Longstaff’s time will certainly come
It is a very measured response from Longstaff, who is always going to put the team first.
As he says, his time will come this season. He will get the minutes that he deserves, especially with the volume of games Newcastle are set to play.
Longstaff is going to be a key player once again, although he does have the added pressure of more competition. Tonali has arrived, while Lewis Miley has emerged from the academy. There has also been improvement from Elliot Anderson, while Joe Willock is still yet to return from injury.
It is going to be very difficult for Longstaff to get in the side ahead of all of those players, but he is certainly capable as we saw last season.
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