Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has admitted to feeling the nerves following the club’s takeover last week.
After many months of uncertainty, Newcastle finally changed hands as the Saudi-led consortium completed a deal thought to be around £305 million.
Mike Ashley has finally gone, and fans are absolutely buzzing to see what lies ahead.
The coming transfer windows are going to be very interesting indeed.
As Newcastle are now the richest club in the world, some big names could soon be coming through the door.
It’s going to be very interesting how long the current crop of players will all stick around.
29-year-old Shelvey is Newcastle’s longest-serving player, after joining on the watch of Steve McClaren for £12 million back in 2016 (BBC Sport). He now has just over 18 months left on his contract.
The Englishman is very excited for the future of the club following the takeover, but does also concede his situation is ‘nerve-racking’.
He told the Daily Mail: “I’ve got 18 months left on my contract, so it comes down to me to show the people in charge what I’m about. I have to look after number one, it’s my career.
“So it is nerve-racking, but I’m a positive person and I’ll try to grasp the opportunity with both hands. There is excitement and nerves, I suppose.”
Shelvey surely gone at contract’s end
One would think Shelvey staying at Newcastle beyond the summer of 2023 is unlikely.
He’ll be 31 by the end of his current contract and, given the new financial might of the club, it would be very surprising to see him handed an extension.
Shelvey has playmaking talent, but some supporters have found him difficult to warm to over the years.
Certainly right now, the idea of Shelvey staying any longer than the summer of 2023 at Newcastle is very hard to picture.
It is probable that he will be kept until then. As a senior player, he can aid with new players coming into the club. He can then leave as a free agent.