Sean Longstaff on His Newcastle United Journey and the Value of Joe Willock

Sean Longstaff has reflected on his six-year career at Newcastle United, sharing insights into his experiences, challenges, and the strength of the club’s midfield. Since making his debut in 2018, the 26-year-old academy graduate has accumulated 190 appearances for his boyhood club, navigating through relegation battles to Champions League victories. Hopefully, the Champions League nights will be here again soon, but with possible legal issues arising due to the clubs taking over The Toon may need to seek help from some public interest lawyers sooner rather than later. Let's hope not though as the Toon faithful have been through enough over the years.

Longstadd recently featured in a candid interview on the Rest is Football podcast with Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker, Longstaff spoke highly of his fellow midfielders, praising Newcastle’s current depth in the central midfield. He believes that Newcastle’s midfield, strengthened by players like Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, has become one of the team’s strongest assets. Among his teammates, Longstaff singled out Joe Willock as the most underrated player, noting his athleticism and risk-taking on the pitch. He stated: "I think when he’s fit, he’s so vital to us.

The way he carries the ball, he’s so athletic… and is always willing to take risks, which makes him so good." Willock, initially brought in on loan from Arsenal in 2020, impressed with his record-equalling six-game scoring streak, which helped Newcastle survive that season. His performances earned him a permanent £25m move to the club, but his progress has been hampered by injuries.

The Role of Local Players and Being a Scapegoat

 Longstaff also addressed the unique pressures of being a local player at Newcastle, acknowledging that fans can sometimes be harsher on homegrown talent. He admitted that while it can be tough, it’s part of the privilege of playing for his hometown club. "At times, you can be a target. But it’s part of the privilege of playing for Newcastle… the fans expect a really high standard," he remarked, emphasising his love for the club despite these challenges.

His brother, Matty Longstaff, who also played for the Magpies, echoed this sentiment, previously suggesting that Sean is sometimes unfairly criticised as a local lad. Alan Shearer shared this view, having experienced similar treatment during his playing days.

Current Form and Sean Longstaff’s Importance

 Longstaff's role at Newcastle has been debated in recent weeks, with the midfielder losing his starting place to Sandro Tonali. While the Italian has impressed, Newcastle’s form has dipped, going winless in four Premier League games since Longstaff was benched. This has led to speculation about whether Eddie Howe might recall him to the starting line-up.

According to The Athletic, there is a clear correlation between Newcastle’s success and Longstaff’s presence in the starting XI. Under Eddie Howe, the team’s win rate is notably higher when Longstaff starts. However, Longstaff is not known for being a game-changer off the bench, which complicates his role when Newcastle are chasing a result.

Despite limitations compared to other midfielders like Joelinton or Guimarães, Longstaff is valued for his work rate, defensive stability, and tactical balance. As Howe looks to restore balance to the team, there’s growing consideration to reinstate Longstaff to the starting line-up, particularly with upcoming challenging fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal.

As Longstaff approaches his 27th birthday, his influence on the team remains a key discussion point, with statistics showing Newcastle’s performances tend to improve when he is on the pitch. Whether he will be reinstated to the starting eleven in future matches will be a crucial decision for Howe.