Former Premier League star and Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier has said that there is no reason that Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff can hit the very top as talk of an England call up circulates.
The Newcastle born and bred talent has emerged as one of the Magpies’ top performers this season after being drafted in by manager Rafael Benitez and his displays have attracted attentions up and down the country.
Insisting that a lack of midfielders for the Three Lions bodes well for the Geordie, Le Tissier said that his age should be no barrier to an international call up if he is good enough.
He told Sky Sports Soccer Saturday (02/02, 13:46): “(Is it too soon for an England call up?) In this day and age, with the lack of options that England have got to choose from, if you put together half a dozen good performances this is the sort of talk that starts happening.
“Fair play to him, absolutely terrific, and he has been excellent in that midfield, started the last seven Premier League games, for a young lad who before this season’s wasn’t even on the radar, I think he’s come in and been absolutely outstanding.”
Opinion
Longstaff’s rise through the ranks at St James’ Park has been extraordinary but the calls for a shot with England are surely a little premature. He is only just getting his eye in with his boyhood club and while he has been mightily impressive, the Three Lions need someone with a little more experience and know how. If he continues to perform at this level on a consistent basis then he will no doubt be included among Gareth Southgate’s squad but for now the only manager who should be caring about him is Rafael Benitez. The Toon Army will be loving his breakthrough and he is finally a homegrown talent who could follow in the footsteps of Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer in turning out for both club and country, but patience is a virtue. At this moment, the St James’ Park faithful should enjoy watching him dazzle in the black and white stripes.