Newcastle United's unsung hero
Sean Longstaff is set for a new contract at Newcastle United amid fierce competition for midfield places at St James' Park.
There have been good times – and bad times.
Sean Longstaff has been through a lot since breaking through into Newcastle United’s first team just over five years ago.
Back in the 2018/19 season, Longstaff had enjoyed a faultless transition to first-team football under Rafa Benitez, and there were comparisons were made with another emerging midfielder.
Declan Rice was making a name for himself with West Ham United, and their first meeting at senior level, at the London Stadium in March 2019, didn’t end well for Newcastle and Longstaff.
Longstaff suffered a season-ending knee injury that day, and glumly left the ground on crutches. Rice, by contrast, was all smiles as he breezed through the post-match mixed zone area after scoring in a 2-0 win for his team.
The careers of Longstaff and Rice have taken different trajectories since that evening in East London.
Rice – who joined Arsenal last year in a club-record £100million deal – has played in three major tournaments for England.
It’s been a different story for Longstaff, who had a difficult spell under Steve Bruce, Benitez’s successor, after returning to fitness.
He was oddly frozen out for a spell after a defeat to previously-winless Sheffield United on a bitterly cold winter night at Bramall Lane in early 2021.
During a “frustrating” spell in the shadows, Longstaff worked hard ahead of his next opportunity in the spotlight.
Speaking later that season, he said: "To not be involved for so long was really frustrating. Obviously, I have my own views on it, and whether I feel it was right or wrong, (but) it doesn’t really matter. I don’t make the final decision on it. All you can do is keep yourself ready.”
Eddie Howe – who succeeded Bruce later that year after a £305million club takeover – fully brought Longstaff back into the fold, and the player was ready to play his part in a new era for the club.
However, the 27-year-old – who scored the goals which took the club to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final the season before last – still has his critics.
Homegrown players, invariably, face more criticism. Just ask the likes of Shola Ameobi, Paul Dummett and Steven Taylor.
Point to prove
Longstaff went into this season keen to pick up where he left off last term, having only hit form late in the previous campaign, and he opened up on his hopes for the new campaign after playing in a hot and humid Tokyo, Japan, in the summer.
“Probably the end of the season came at a bit of a weird time in terms of just me starting to feel a lot better,” said Longstaff. “It's a big season coming up, not as many games, more competition. It’s something I'm really looking forward to.”
Longstaff – who believes fatherhood has helped him “switch off” from football away from the training ground – has got back into his stride ahead of the cold winter months on Tyneside.
He can’t do everything Bruno Guimaraes or Sandro Tonali can do with the ball, but he can be just as effective as influencing games with what he can do in and out of possession.
Longstaff was superb in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea, and he kept his place ahead of Tonali, outstanding in the 2-0 fourth-round win, for Saturday’s home game against Arsenal.
It was a big call from Howe, but Longstaff, praised by Howe for his “defensive understanding”, has consistently given the midfield a better balance when he’s played this season. His hard work on and off the ball has enabled others alongside him to flourish in possession.
It is not hard to see why Howe and his players rate him so highly.
In a recent social media post, midfield colleague Joe Willock said: “Some player, and some guy. Love you bro.”
Longstaff was again up against Rice, playing alongside former Magpie Mikel Merino, and he and his team-mates had the better of their visitors. They harried and hustled Mikel Arteta’s side all over the pitch, and made better use of the ball.
The game was decided by a goal from Alexander Isak, who headed a superb Anthony Gordon cross past David Raya.
United have won six, and drawn one, of the league and cup games Longstaff, once a £25million transfer target for Manchester United, has started this season.
Longstaff has been something of an unsung hero during Howe’s time as head coach, and he touched on the debate about his inclusion in a candid Premier League interview after the Arsenal game.
“Some people think I should play,” said Longstaff. “Some people think I should be nowhere near it, and I can’t play a two-yard pass! Whenever I play, you know what you’re going to get.
“For what the manager has done for me, I’ll always be a good team-mate. I’ll always be good around the dressing room, whether I’m, playing or not. I try to enjoy every moment. Every time I get to play at St James’, I’ll never take it for granted.”
New contract
Longstaff, out of contract next summer, should enjoy many more moments at St James’ Park, as he is in talks over a new long-term deal at the club.
“Sean’s defensive understanding is always very strong,” said Howe after the Arsenal game. “He knows how I want the team to play. Delighted for him.
“He’s worked his way back into the team, and taken his opportunities the last few games.”
Longstaff, for his part, just wants to play for his boyhood club.
“I just want to play football,” said Longstaff. “I've been in Newcastle for a long time. So, for me, my goal since I was eight was to get another contract in Newcastle, and that sort of mindset hasn't changed.
“So, for me, it's just about proving my worth to the team, to the manager, and what will be, will be.”
Longstaff has certainly proved his worth to the club so far this season.