One thing that we have learned about Eddie Howe since he took over as Newcastle United boss is that he is loyal to a fault.
Howe has his favourites and he likes to make sure they get game time when it might seem there are better options available, equally, it’s just as hard to convince Howe to let go of players.
For all the fact that we tend to hang on to players too long has worked out in our favour given our lack of ability to bring players in during the last two windows, it is a worrying sign.
Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier were prime to be offloaded this summer as both are on the decline but could still net a few million quid for the club, but Howe was reluctant to see either of them go – again, it worked out for the best in this case, but you see our point.
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Sean Longstaff could sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in January
Sean Longstaff’s contract is due to expire at the end of this season
One of Howe’s big favourites on Tyneside is academy product Sean Longstaff. Eddie Howe adores him and he is still getting in the side ahead of Italy international Sandro Tonali which has baffled a lot of fans.
Longstaff’s contract is up for renewal as it is set to expire in the summer, which means he can negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs in January, however, Football Insider claims Newcastle won’t let that happen.
It’s believed the club view it as ‘bad business sense’ to allow Longstaff to leave on a free, which, given how much more lucrative it is for clubs to sell players who came through the academy, is not at all the wrong thing to be thinking.
Sean Longstaff is blighted by inconsistency
To be fair, we don’t want to see Longstaff leave, especially on a free, we would just like Eddie Howe to perhaps acknowledge that he’s maybe not as good as he thinks he is, and certainly isn’t as good as Sandro Tonali or Joe Willock.
Longy is an extremely useful squad player, there’s no doubt about that, and nobody can question his heart. The lad bleeds black and white and would do anything to see the club succeed, but unfortunately, he’s just not that good.
Consistency is Longy’s biggest issue because he can have one or two games where he looks like a Ballon d’Or contender (calm down, it’s hyperbole) and then his next few games he’ll misplace simple passes, or scuff an easy shot.
We love him, but it’s time to step aside and let Sandro take it from here.
