Sean Longstaff has worked his way back into the starting lineup at Newcastle United this season.
Eddie Howe has admitted that central midfield is Newcastle’s strongest position throughout the first-team squad, and striking a balance has proved difficult.
Initially, Howe tried to balance a star-studded midfield that included Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton but it didn’t work out.
In the recent victories against Chelsea and Arsenal, Sean Longstaff has returned to the lineup and injected the energy and work rate into midfield which had been badly missing.
Longstaff now boasts an incredible record as a starter and has fought his way back into Howe’s first-team plans at Newcastle.
Sean Longstaff wants to feel ‘valued’ at Newcastle
Longstaff certainly isn’t the most glamorous player at Newcastle, but he has proven this season that he is effective at what he does and ultimately helps the team pick up results.
He has entered the final year of his contract at St James’ Park, but the club have an option to extend by an extra year.
It has been reported that Newcastle have decided to trigger Longstaff’s extension as he is viewed as an important member of the team.
Speaking to iNews, Longstaff appeared to send a message to fans that he wants to be “appreciated” more.
“Yeah, if it’s here it’s great. If it’s not, it’s not,” Longstaff said.
“I want to be valued as a player, I want to be appreciated as a player and whether it’s here great. If it’s not here and it’s somewhere else, it’ll be somewhere else.
“In a way I live day to day, game to game and I just try and take in every game. I get to go to work every day and spend it with my best friends, I don’t know what’s coming ahead, I don’t know what’s coming down the line, I just try to embrace every day and enjoy every minute because ultimately it won’t last forever.”
Sean Longstaff deserves full support of Newcastle fans
It is true that Longstaff is an unsung hero at Newcastle and doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
By the sounds of it, Longstaff is prepared to pack his bags and leave if he feels he is not valued at Newcastle. It is quite easy to see why that would be his biggest frustration.
Opinions throughout the Newcastle fanbase have been split when it comes to Longstaff but he has been superb this season and deserves our full backing.
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He is a homegrown talent who always gives 100 percent while on the pitch. Howe has always been a big admirer of Longstaff and he provides great balance in the heart of midfield.
It would be no surprise to see Newcastle hand Longstaff a new contract at the end of the season.
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