Newcastle legend Nobby Solano has claimed Jonjo Shelvey is the best footballer in his former club’s current squad.
Solano believes the 25-year-old central midfielder has the ability to run the show for the Magpies, but says he was not consistent enough last season.
Shelvey started the 2016-17 campaign explosively, but his form soon waned as he found himself marked out of games, which meant he was unable to dictate play.
The England international was a mainstay in Newcastle’s engine room last term, making 47 appearances across all competitions, providing 12 assists and five goals.
Speaking in an interview with the Chronicle, Solano was keen to praise the 25-year-old.
“Shelvey is easily Newcastle’s best technical player and the club’s best footballer but his career has been strange,” he said.
“In his first few games for Newcastle after that big move he played well to start with, but his form dipped and he ended up being relegated.
“He’s 25 now so I hope he can find the consistency because he really does make Newcastle tick when he wants to.
The former Liverpool, Swansea and Charlton man has become a key player for the Toon in his short spell there, and he has even captained the side on occasion.
He has been capped by England six times, but he has not featured since the 2-0 friendly win over France in November 2015.
Solano spent nine years at Newcastle in two spells between 1998 and 2004, and 2005 and 2008.
During his time in the North East the Peruvian wide-midfielder became a real fan favourite and he scored 48 goals in 314 league and cup games.