Joe Nelson
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty Images
When Sandro Tonali arrived at Newcastle United last summer, it was thought he would bolster the midfield at the expense of homegrown talent Sean Longstaff.
He made quite the impact on opening day in the 5-1 win over Aston Villa but ended up suspended for the majority of the season. Then, at the start of 2024-25, it appeared as though Eddie Howe was struggling to find the right balance, with a trio of Joelinton, Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes not quite clicking.
A wide selection of midfielders is not a luxury Newcastle were afforded last season, with Eddie Howe’s squad ravaged by injuries. Now, he must make tough decisions, which has meant leaving Longstaff out on occasion.
In recent weeks, by accommodating Joelinton on the wing, the North Shields local has been reinstated in the Newcastle starting XI, alongside Guimaraes and Joe Willock.
This has resulted in a more fluid Magpies setup and Longstaff is playing a crucial role in improved Newcastle form.
This season, Newcastle have played 11 Premier League games, winning five. Longstaff has started six games, including all five victories.
Howe’s team have three clean sheets this term – Longstaff started two of these matches. The Magpies have scored more than once in three league fixtures so far this term, with Longstaff starting all three of these matches as well.
This positive trend goes further back, with the 27-year-old starting 30 of Newcastle’s 38 Premier League games last term, winning 17 of these.
After the opening-day win over Villa, Longstaff remained on the bench for consecutive losses against City, Liverpool and Brighton.
Brought back into the starting XI in a 1-0 win at home to Brentford, the midfielder remained in the line-up as Newcastle went on a seven-game unbeaten streak, scoring 20 goals – including the memorable 8-0 win over Sheff Utd featured.
Newcastle kept 10 clean sheets in the league last season – Longstaff started nine of these games. They scored more than one goal in 22 matches – Longstaff started 20 of these.
In 2022-23, as Howe’s side qualified for the Champions League, their homegrown number 36 once again played a pivotal role. Longstaff lost only twice out of 28 starts during this campaign. Newcastle kept 14 clean sheets, with 12 of these being when the midfielder started.
The statistics do not lie. Longstaff has been a crucial cog in Howe’s machine since he took over as Magpies boss, both in attack and defence, and he continues to be an unsung local hero in the ranks.
