Newcastle United coach Francisco de Míguel Moreno says that Jonjo Shelvey is one of the best technical players he has ever worked with.
There’s no doubt that Shelvey must clean up his act as far as his discipline is concerned, but Newcastle’s coaching team are trying to help him become the complete player.
Shelvey may find himself on the bench again this weekend ahead of the home clash with Stoke City due to the fine form of Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden.
Moreno - or Paco as he is known to players and staff - has worked closely with Rafa Benitez during his time as boss at huge clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli.
Having trained the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Bale and Ronaldo, Paco’s praise should be taken as a real compliment by Shelvey.
Shelvey is waiting to see what type of role he is handed for this weekend’s clash with Stoke City with Merino and Hayden selected ahead of him during the 1-0 win over Swansea City on a day when the former Charlton Athletic man didn’t even get off the bench.
Paco told the Chronicle: “He’s one of the best we have worked with technically.
“We have worked some very good players too.
“He has those attributes and he is a very good player technically, but also with other things.
“In general we know that his level is good.
“He knows he has to improve, but knows exactly what he needs to do to achieve that.”
Shelvey did himself no harm on Monday night after playing the full 90 minutes in the Under-23 game against Norwich City.
Having served his FA ban for stamping on Dele Alli he is now looking to kick-start his season in the Premier League.
United boss Benitez and his coaching team know they have a big decision to make this weekend with a welcome selection headache in midfield.
Paco said: “Jonjo is a good player for us, there is no doubt about that.
“We can see him doing well in training and he’s glad to be back from suspension to play games.
“Hopefully, we can play him soon, we’ll see what happens but he’s in good shape.”
Newcastle will run out to play in front of another sell out crowd at St James’ Park against Stoke on Saturday afternoon.
Around 2,000 fans made the long journey to south Wales at the weekend with Paco again impressed by the support levels during his one-game stint in charge of the first team during Benitez’s absence due to a hernia issue.
Paco said: “Last season we spoke about the warmth of the supporters from the very start.
“It doesn’t matter what part of the country we play in, they are always there.
“That is something that not every club has.
“But we expect to see them everywhere we go.
“We are very pleased with them. I just want to say a big thank you to them and I hope they continue being behind us.”
FIXTURES
Saturday 16th September
Newcastle United v Stoke City
15:00
Sunday 24th September
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United
16:00
Sunday 1st October
Newcastle United v Liverpool
16:30
Sunday 15th October
Southampton v Newcastle United
16:00
Saturday 21st October
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
15:00
Monday 30th October
Burnley v Newcastle United
20:00
RESULTS
SWANSEA 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lascelles)
Elliott, Manquillo, Clark, Lascelles, Gamez, Hayden (Diame 69), Merino, Ritchie, Perez, Murphy (Atsu 59), Joselu (Gayle 78).
Unused subs: Shelvey, Lejeune, Yedlin, Woodman.
NEWCASTLE 3 WEST HAM 0 (Clark, Joselu, Mitrovic)
Elliot, Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Mbemba, Merino, Hayden (Diaméat 82'), Ritchie (Murphy 88'), Pérez, Atsu, Joselu (Mitrovic 72')
Subs: Aarons, Saivet. Gámez, Woodman
LC NEWCASTLE 2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 3 (Mitrovic, Aarons)
Darlow; Sterry (Lazaar, 58), Hanley, Mbemba, Gamez; Saivet, Barlaser (Hayden, 70); Murphy, Diame, Aarons (Ritchie, 76); Mitrovic (Joselu, 105).
Subs not used: Woodman, Lascelles, Manquillo.
HUDDERSFIELD 1 NEWCASTLE 0
Elliot, Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Mbemba, Hayden (Diame 76), Merino, Atsu, Perez (Murphy 80), Ritchie, Gayle (Joselu 52).
Subs not used: Saivet, Aarons, Darlow, Mitrovic.
NEWCASTLE 0 TOTTENHAM 2
Elliot, Manquillo, Lejeune (Mbemba 34'), Clark, Dummett (Lascelles 7'), Shelvey, Hayden, Ritchie, Pérez, Atsu, Gayle (Merinoat 76')
Subs: Murphy, Aarons, Merino, Darlow, Mitrovic
PRE-SEASON
NEWCASTLE 2 HELLAS VERONA 0 (Perez, Atsu)
Elliot (Darlow 64), Manquillo (Gamez 64), Lejeune (Lascelles 64), Clark (Mbemba 64), Dummett (Merino 64), Ritchie, Shelvey (Aarons 64), Hayden, Atsu (Murphy 64), Perez (De Jong 72), Mitrovic (Diame 64)
WOLFSBERG 1 NEWCASTLE 3 (Mitrovic, Ritchie Pen, Atsu)
Elliot (Darlow, 70), Manquillo (Mbemba, 70), Lejeune (Lascelles, 70), Clark, Dummett (Gamez, 70), Ritchie (Murphy, 70), Shelvey, Hayden (Merino, 70), Atsu (Aarons, 70), Perez (de Jong, 70), Mitrovic (Diame, 46).
Subs not used: Colback, Gayle.
MAINZ 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Gamez)
Darlow (Woodman 60), Yedlin (Manquillo 27), Clark (Mbemba 46), Lejuene (Merino 79), Dummett (Gamez 46), Colback (Shelvey 60), Diame (Perez 60), Murphy (Hayden 60), Ritchie (Aarons 46), De Jong (Atsu 60), Mitrovic (Gayle 60)
BRADFORD CITY 0 NEWCASTLE 4 (Gayle, Murphy 2, Mitrovic)
Elliot (Woodman, 61), Yedlin (Manquillo, 46), Lejeune (Mbemba, 61), Clark (Saivet, 77), Dummett (Gamez, 61), Atsu (De Jong, 61), Shelvey (Aarons, 61), Hayden (Colback, 77), Ritchie (Murphy, 46), Perez (Diame, 46), Gayle (Mitrovic, 61).
PRESTON 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Mitrovic)
Elliot (Darlow, 46, Woodman, 70), Mbemba, Hanley (Yedlin, 46), Lejeune (Manquillo, 77), Dummett (Clark, 46), Atsu (Murphy, 46), Diame (Colback, 46), Shelvey (Hayden, 46), Aarons (Perez, 46), de Jong (Roberts, 62), Mitrovic (Gayle, 46).
HEARTS 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Gayle 2)
Elliot (Woodman 63), Aarons(Gamez 46), Clark (Dummett 46), Mbemba (Hanley 62), Lascelles (Lejeune 46), Haidara (Colback 62), Shelvey (Saivet 46), Diame (Armstrong 62), De Jong (Lazaar 75), Atsu (Perez 46), Gayle (Mitrovic 46)