Newcastle United legend Malcolm Macdonald believes that Rafa Benitez must not be too hasty to include Jonjo Shelvey into the starting XI once he returns.
Shelvey – who was signed in 2016 from Swansea – was taken off early into the 1-0 win over Watford a couple of weeks back, but Macdonald says that Benitez must not be too “desperate” to get Shelvey back into the first team fold.
He says that the emergence of Ki Sung-Yueng in recent weeks warrants him a place in the first team, as he plays further up the pitch, allowing his teammates to get forward more.
“I wouldn’t be desperate to get Jonjo Shelvey back either. Like [Jamaal] Lascelles he can lend his considerable presence to the bench and wait an opportunity,” he said in his Chronicle column.
“Both are good, good players but they are now being challenged which is great for the club. Ki can pass the ball all right. He hasn’t the range of Shelvey but he moves it quicker and plays further up the pitch which means that the back four can push up, the midfield can get forward more, and the front has good support.
“When Shelvey operates almost between his two central defenders the pitch is stretched and players become isolated.”
OPINION
Shelvey has no doubt been a God-send for Newcastle since he arrived two years ago, and he proved that last season by helping the team to a tenth placed finish in the Premier League. However, this season he has been rocked with injury which has hampered his progress slightly. Ki has been instrumental in his absence though, so Benitez has not lost out entirely – but the South Korean must not be ousted so suddenly like Macdonald pointed out, even when Shelvey eventually returns from injury. He has been a revelation and looks a shadow of the player who looked practically invisible at the start of the season, and for that, Benitez will forever be grateful. Shelvey now needs to watch his back from now on, as he may end up on the bench more often than he would like – so he will need to prove to the manager that he is worthy of a first team spot once he returns from injury.