Sean Longstaff names Newcastle United's most ‘underrated player’ & responds ‘scapegoated’ claims

Sean Longstaff has revealed the £25m star that he believes is Newcastle United’s most ‘underrated player’ at the moment. The 26-year-old academy graduate, who has racked up 190 appearances for his boyhood club since 2018, believes the central midfield area is the strongest part of Newcastle’s team due to the wealth of options that Eddie Howe has at his disposal.

During an interview with club legend Alan Shearer and England great Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast, he explained: “Honestly, we played Man Utd away two seasons ago, and I think they had Casemiro and Fred and (Newcastle had) Joelinton and Bruno (Guimaraes). And there were like four Brazilian internationals and me playing midfield. I was like, what’s going on here.

“But we are actually blessed to have a really strong midfield. I think obviously with Sandro (Tonali) coming back, he’s a big help. And I think probably the most underrated one is Joe Willock.”

Willock was brought to Newcastle United on loan from Arsenal in 2020 and impressively scored in six consecutive games - equalling a record set by Alan Shearer - to help Newcastle to survival. Shortly after, he made a £25m move to St James’ Park, making a combined total of 109 appearances. He has struggled immensely with injuries in recent years and has slowly been introduced back into the first team from the subs bench.

When discussing Willock, Longstaff explained: “I think when he’s fit, he’s so vital to us. The way he carries the ball, he’s so athletic. He doesn’t think too much in terms of…he’s always willing to take risks and try things, which I think makes him so good. Lewis Miley as well, it’s a good blend of youth and experience. And yeah, we’ll push each other every day to be better. I’m biased, but I think it’s definitely one of the strongest parts of our team.”

Sean Longstaff responds to ‘scapegoat’ claims

Sean Longstaff has been a key part of the Newcastle team for six years and in that period he has experienced his fair share of both highs and lows from relegation battles to Champions League victories. At times his performances have come under criticism by fans, and his brother Matty Longstaff, who once played alongside him at St James’ Park has claimed that Sean can be a ‘scapegoat’ for criticism as he is a local lad.

This view to an extent was shared by Alan Shearer, who admitted that during his playing days some of the player’s that came through the academy were treated more harshly than the ones the club bought. Shearer asked Longstaff whether he felt that was the case with him and the 26-year-old responded: “That’s a fair comment. It’s part and parcel of playing for Newcastle.

“I was the same as a fan. You look at a player from Newcastle and you resonate more with them because they are from the same place as you, they go to the same pub as you and there just from the same place.

“So at times, I think when it’s not going well you can be a target. But at the same time it’s part of the privilege of playing for Newcastle, that no matter what the game is whether it’s Wimbledon at home or a Champions League game, the fans expect a really high standard and that’s one of the things that make it such a unique place to play.

“For me I love it. And at times it can be tough you kind of think ‘give us a yard’ or if you’re not playing well you sometimes want a bit of support. But like I say it’s part of the thing that makes it so special and then for me when you do play well for me or you have a moment of success like we have recently. The fans are amazing and it’s just part and parcel of playing for Newcastle.”