Former Leeds United and England defender Danny Mills agrees with Newcastle’s hesitance to award midfielder Sean Longstaff a new deal less than a year into the first term of his contract.
According to The Telegraph, talks have stalled between the two parties as the club is not keen on handing him a big contract before he proves himself with a run of consistent performances.
Mills has urged the player to remain patient, telling Football Insider he totally gets Newcastle’s decision to play hardball over a new deal for the player. Mills reckons Newcastle are within their rights to ask for more from the 21-year-old before handing him improved terms.
“He signed a new deal last year, how many great games has he had since then? Three?” he remarked. “Suddenly it’s like: ‘I want a new contract, I want to double my wages,’ or whatever it is. Hang on a minute, you’ve had three good games in that time. We gave you that contract because we expected those performances week in, week out.
“I think sometimes the club are right to play hardball and say: ‘Right, you’ve signed your four-year deal. We’ve given you that deal knowing that you were going to play to that sort of level. Just because you’ve had three good games doesn’t mean you can come in and start demanding double your money.’
“It is sort of market forces and sadly it’s the way of the football world at times, but it doesn’t make it right. If you have a great season and teams are coming in with big-value money, then fine but I’m not sure they would be right now.”
Longstaff has made 21 appearances for the Magpies since breaking into the senior side and eight of those have come in this campaign. His younger brother Matty has also featured in the first team this season and the pair impressed during the 1-0 win against Manchester United last month, with the latter getting the only goal of the game.
A 13th-placed Newcastle will take on Aston Villa, who are four spots below them in the Premier League standings, in their next fixture but aren’t the bookies’ favourites. Bet365 have 12/5 odds on a win for the St James’ Park side, with 12/5 odds also going on a draw and 11/10 on a Villa win.
Footie fans can get all the best Premier League 2019/20 betting offers at Freebets.com and will also be privy to the latest scoops on enhanced odds and tips. As far as Newcastle betting goes, they’re not likely to win the league or finish in the top four but there are odds of 2/9 to be had on the Magpies staying up this season from the aforementioned bookies. If you see them dropping down to the Championship, then why not take advantage of William Hill’s 11/4.
Norwich City remain the favourites to relegate at the end of the season at 1/4 with Ladbrokes and Watford aren’t far behind, with Betvictor offering 11/10 on the possibility.