OPINION
What more can you say about Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff these days?
Nearly every fan has used every positive adjective under the sun to describe the 21-year-old in recent times, and you cannot really blame them after the way he has performed.
However, this will not be good news for Mo Diame and his future at St James’ Park – in fact, his future looks rather bleak if you look at the quality Rafa Benitez also has in the shape of Ki sung-yeung.
The 31-year-old has not been a favourite of the fans so far this season and that has only been reinforced by how poor he has been on a regular basis – a complete contrast to the player we saw turn out for the Magpies last term.
Nevertheless, the emergence of Longstaff is throwing his future into serious doubt, and it will certainly not be long until Rafa Benitez starts to think about whether he is needed anymore or whether he is worth risking.
The supporters would gladly make that decision for the Spaniard if given the chance to, but you cannot help but wonder whether Diame’s days on Tyneside are numbered.
He hampers Newcastle’s efforts rather than help them and there is only so long Benitez will be patient with a player like this – after all, if he were to cash in on him in the summer, he would then have the funds to find someone a lot better.
The £45,000-a-week [Spotrac] player was good once upon a time for Newcastle, but unfortunately for him, those days have faded.
Diame is just not good enough for Newcastle any more – especially now that Longstaff is quickly emerging as a star for the Magpies.