Pundit offers verdict on ‘superstar’ Newcastle United midfielder

Newcastle United host Chelsea in the Premier League this evening
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Michael Dawson has praised Sean Longstaff after a superb start to the Premier League season. The Newcastle United midfielder has featured in all 14 of their matches so far.

Despite a positive start to his senior career at St. James’ Park, Longstaff had struggled to maintain a place in the Magpies’ starting line-up during the 2021/22 campaign. With his contract expiring last May, there was uncertainty over whether he would remain with his boyhood club, however he hasn’t looked back since eventually putting pen to paper on a new deal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After only completing 90 minutes of football on seven occasions, the 25-year-old’s recent form has earned Eddie Howe’s trust and he has already started ten matches for the Magpies in the current campaign. Longstaff has played a key role in a brilliant few months for Newcastle, who sit fourth in the Premier League table after losing only one of their opening 14 matches.

Speaking on Longstaff to Sky Sports News, Dawson said: “Longstaff won’t be a name where you go he’s a superstar but he’s becoming that. He’s becoming so influential in Newcastle’s team. We always said when Allan Saint-Maximin wasn’t there, how were they going to win games? How were they going to create?

“[Miguel] Almiron has been brilliant but Longstaff, I love. I love his energy, he’s one of those players that on the eye that you don’t see on the ball. I’ll tell you what, the rest of them players in that Newcastle team will love having him in the team.

“He gets in the mix, he wins the ball back, he plays it forward. Be it [Jacob] Murphy, if it be [Joe] Willock, whoever it may be – he’s the ball-winner. Bruno Guimaraes gets on the ball and looks lovely, great player. But Longstaff is one of those players you need.”

Longstaff has earned a place in the starting line-up for today’s clash with Chelsea, where he will be hopeful of moving up to third with another win.