Paul Merson heaped praise on Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff after watching him feature in the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
The Sky Sports pundit revealed he was very very impressed by the 21-year-old Magpies player as he looked a real good player in his latest outing.
“The kid Longstaff… he is a good player, a real good player and I was very very impressed,” said Merson on Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, February 23rd, 17:17).
Longstaff was making his seventh Premier League appearance of his career against the Terriers and has racked one assist in his outings so far.
OPINION
Longstaff will no doubt have to get used to pundits singing his praises if he continues his current form. The 21-year-old central midfielder has taken everyone by surprise about how easy he has found life in the Premier League so far. Given that he was regularly playing his football in League One while on loan with Blackpool last season, it’s crazy that he should now be seen as a guaranteed name of Rafa Benitez’s teamsheet, but that’s the case as it stands. The Spanish manager may have move proven experienced midfielders to chose from, but it would be foolish to drop Longstaff when he is playing so well. While the midfielder probably still has a lot to learn, he is no doubt already picking up valuable lessons from the experience he is gaining. Magpies supporters haven’t often seen a player break out their academy in recent seasons to feature for the first-team, but Longstaff has definitely been worth the wait. Hopefully the midfielder will be the first of many and other youngsters at the club will be inspired by his journey.