Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Jonjo Shelvey will play for the U-23’s in their game away to Fulham tonight – also insisting that he’ll only enter talk about his future once our Premier League status has been secured.
Regarding Shelvey, this is actually something I predicted in an article earlier this week, with Rafa making it clear just a few days ago that he needed to improve his ‘match fitness’ to play – but needed game time to do so.
With him struggling to break into the first-team picture following Longstaff and Hayden’s rise to form, a run out in the U-23’s could be ideal to build his fitness levels; although it will mean he won’t be in the squad for tomorrow’s game at West Ham:
Here’s what Rafa said during his press conference when asked about his future at the club – with his current deal being set to expire in just a couple of month’s time:
“We have the same situation – not safe, no position guaranteed, we have to concentrate on the games and then we can talk about anything.’
“I understand but they no my plan is that the team is focused on football. We can get the results then we can talk about anything.”
The sooner we’re safe the better, with it being made clear once again by Benitez that he’ll only enter talks once we’re safe.
