Based on his latest comments, it would be an understatement to say Danny Rose is a big admirer of Newcastle United teammate Jonjo Shelvey.
During an interview with the Chronicle, the Spurs loanee claims his range of passing is ‘the best in the Premier League’, revealing how he first witnessed his ‘sheer class’ when the pair were called up to Roy Hodgson’s England side several years ago.
Here’s what he’s had to say about Shelvey – stating the ‘absolutely brilliant’ midfielder is a player he’d ‘pay to watch’:
“Jonjo for me is the type of player, when on his game, that I would pay to watch.
“He’s absolutely brilliant in that central position.
“The way he dictates the game and his range of passing is the best in the Premier League.
“I played with him for England.
“I am so fortunate to play with him again now at Newcastle.
“For me, he is absolutely brilliant.”
“When he is playing in that deep lying role and dictating play, there’s nobody that touches him in this league for me.
“As I say he is just sheer class.”
High praise indeed – especially when Rose has played alongside or against several top class passers during his time at Tottenham (where he’s fought for the title and played in the Champions League) and at international level.
As for Shelvey himself, we saw just how good he can be during that first half at Southampton a few weekends ago, with him playing several world class passes to create big chances in the box for Dwight Gayle.
That said, the fact he went off the boil in the second half, allowing his head to drop after miscplacing a few passes, highlights the one key area he needs to improve – his consistency.
Stay fit and focused and we have a quality player on our hands, with his ability levels having never been in question throughout his career.
