Newcastle fans will never be able to look at Mike Ashley as a good owner and will always resent him for his negligence of both Newcastle United and Newcastle as a city. However, the Sports Direct owner could go a little way to winning the fans over if he can ensure that Jonjo Shelvey stays at St James Park next season.

After the ex-Liverpool and Swansea man tore it up at Craven Cottage on the final day of the Premier League season, Shelvey came out and had some honest comments about his future. The £13.5 million-rated man, as valued by Transfermarkt, spoke about how he's been contemplating life, and it seems his future is very much up in the air. Fans can read his interesting comments in The Chronicle.

Whilst Shelvey may have been in and out of the side this season, the midfield maestro must be retained at all costs. He doesn't have dynamic energy and explosion with the ball at his feet when taking opponents on, but the six-time England man has the ability to pick a lock with his wonderful passing range and can so often be the difference maker when up against a side deploying a deep block.

If Shelvey does leave St James Park this season he'll be calling time on two and a half years with the club where the fans have warmed to him and seen him grow as a player. When Shelvey arrived at the club from Swansea in January 2016 there were disciplinary issues in his game that needed sorting. Rafa Benitez looks to have ironed all of those out now, though, and he's a fine player without the risk.

Should the England man leave St James Park this summer, whoever signs him will be benefitting greatly. However, it will be well within Ashley's interests to put a new big money offer on the table for the 27-year-old as having him in the middle of the park next season could be key to the Geordies breaking into the top ten and maybe even challenging for a potential European spot by coming 7th.

Geordies, do you think Shelvey leaving would be a mistake? Join the discussion by commenting below...