Sean Longstaff believes Newcastle United have two players who could go and play for any club in the world.
Ordinarily, you would expect Bruno Guimaraes to be the first name out of Sean Longstaff‘s mouth.
He has been a transformative player in the Newcastle United midfield, while Bruno is someone who Manchester City earmarked as a possible replacement for Rodri – who is considered the best in the world in his position.
However, while Longstaff absolutely believes that Bruno is world class, there are two more Toon players who stand out for the local lad.
During an appearance on The Rest Is Football podcast, Longstaff spoke to Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer about the ‘world class’ talent that Newcastle United have.
The 26-year-old had been asked about Alexander Isak, who Lineker and Shearer obviously admire due to being former strikers themselves.
Longstaff was full of praise for Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever, before admitting that he sees Sven Botman at the same level.
Alexander Isak shakes hands with Sven Botman of Newcastle United as they arrive at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle …
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
“He’s [Isak] top,” he said
“For me, him and Sven Botman are, I’d say, all world class. Obviously, Bruno and Joelinton are as well and so is Sandro.
“But I think Alex and Sven are the two that, when I look at them, I think they could go and play for the top teams in the world tomorrow. Not that the others couldn’t, but I just think there’s something about them two which is special.
“But Alex is unbelievable. I think you always judge players when they first come in. I remember watching Alex do a shooting session and it was left foot, right foot, and he was just belting it in the goal. I thought, oh, we’ve signed a top, top player here.
“He’s actually a really funny guy. He probably speaks the most Geordie out of everyone. He’s someone that we’re really lucky to have, and the team needs to succeed and the team needs to win to keep players like him here.”
What makes Sven Botman so special
Lineker then asked Longstaff what makes Botman so special.
“IHe’s lightening quick, he’s strong, but he’s unbelievable on the ball as well.
“As the modern centre-back, he can do everything. That’s why, for me, he could go and play for the top teams tomorrow, and I think the whole country or the whole world would see how good he is.
“He’s coming back from an ACL, so I don’t want to put too much pressure on him coming back.”
Newcastle will hope that this injury does not hinder Botman
It has been so long since Newcastle fans have seen Botman at his best that you can easily forget how good he was.
But the Dutchman was absolutely outstanding during his debut year on Tyneside, so much so that the likes of Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing him.
Newcastle were lucky to get Botman when they did, and he has already proven how suited he is to Premier League football.
The only concern is whether he will be able to get back to his best when he returns from this knee injury. Botman suffered two ACL injuries last season, and underwent surgery in March. That type of injury can be really difficult to come back from, and it will be interesting to see what level Botman is at when he is back in the team.
It will not be too long until the 24-year-old is back in action. Botman has been making good progress, and providing promising updates via his official Instagram account.
Eddie Howe has said that Botman will be back in training after the next international break, and his impending comeback could determine whether or not Newcastle make a fresh bid to sign someone like Marc Guehi in January.
The Magpies were desperate for a centre-back in the summer, but it could be a different story in January if Botman is fit again.
Related Posts
