Jermaine Jenas has heaped praise on Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff, suggesting that the academy graduate’s quality “stands out like a sore thumb”.
The 21-year-old played a starring role again for his boyhood club as they picked up a crucial 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town.
Longstaff inly made his Premier League debut in December, but with Mo Diame and Ki Sung-Yeung both fit and Jonjo Shelvey approaching a return, Rafa Benitez chose to show faith in the local lad alongside Isaac Hayden in the middle of the park.
Taking to Twitter during the match, Match of the Day pundit Jenas was quick to hail the impact of the midfielder.
He said: “I know it’s already been said by a few, but @seanlongstaff97 is looking like a top player for @NUFC stands out like a sore thumb in this team.”
I know it’s already been said by a few, but @seanlongstaff97 is looking like a top player for @NUFC stands out like a sore thumb in this team.
— Jermaine Jenas (@jjenas8) February 23, 2019
OPINION
It’s nice of Jenas to be so praising of Longstaff, but the manner in which he’s worded his compliment might leave a few Newcastle players feeling a little shortchanged. Certainly, Longstaff has been a standout in recent weeks, but increasingly that is because of his own qualities, and not because of a lack of talent around him. The Magpies still have a long way to go, but they are looking, slowly but surely, more and more like a Premier League side. A huge factor in that has been the unexpected ascension of Longstaff, as well as the explosive impact of new signing Miguel Almiron, but undoubtedly, they now look more than capable of escaping their relegation fears. From a personal point of view, Longstaff should be immensely proud of the improvement he has brought to his hometown club, and as a local boy with the talent and passion he possesses, surely it won’t be long before he is in serious contention for leadinf the side out every week.