While the Newcastle United fans here in the Transfer Tavern fully appreciate their man has his problems, the fact that Jonjo Shelvey has frequently been left out of the England squad has proven rather confusing to them.
Indeed, the Three Lions’ main problem at present appears to be a lack of any real creativity in the middle of the park and, while the Toon star does come with his issues, Shelvey is certainly a midfielder able to make things happen from deep.
Gareth Southgate recently described the former Liverpool youngster as a ‘quarterback’ and suggested that’s not what England need right now, though many of our punters clad in black and white disagree. With the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jamie Vardy and Raheem Sterling able to hit teams on the break, having Shelvey drop back and hit long diagonals really could add another element of danger to England’s attack.
Though some of the defending against Brazil last night was impressive, the Three Lions lacked a cutting edge going forward, leading Newcastle United fans on Twitter to call for Shelvey’s inclusion.
Here’s a closer look at what they were saying.
https://twitter.com/boxingviper/status/930531650320109569
https://twitter.com/owenjesse_/status/930516143651074048
https://twitter.com/GeorgeWhitelock/status/930549476053454848
https://twitter.com/Jam28Joe/status/930555410024722437
“Seriously though Rafa, how isn’t Shelvey in this England team?” https://t.co/IvG7nEdzdK
— Lee Watson (@j127430) November 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/Brother_Marlon/status/930691245097316352
https://twitter.com/Dan_J_M/status/930706490171756545
Didn’t watch the game but one of the best match reports I’ve ever read. Also – with all England’s creative flaws, why no Jonjo Shelvey still?! https://t.co/Lk6mQzYi4Q
— James Shaw (@BigShaw1) November 15, 2017
