Ahead of the new season, Jonjo Shelvey has been brutally honest in an interview with Sky Sports, staring that theres ‘serious problems’ if he’s our top scorer again last year.
The midfielder scored just SIX league goals across 2019/20, yet still finished the season as the club’s top-scorer during a goal-baron year – something that Wilson, Joelinton, ASM, Almiron and Fraser must change!
After the NUFC owner paid for and attended a team meal in midweek, Shelvey reveals that Ashley also told players he’ll be attending more games at St James’ Park this season.
Here’s what he’s had to say about it all, starting by laying down the gauntlet to our attackers:
“If I’m top scorer again this season with the signings we’ve made there is serious problems.
“My job this year is to create chances for the others.”
Here’s what Shelvey then had to say about the team meal with Ashley, praising the arrivals of Wilson, Fraser and Lewis and the fact he picked up the bill in midweek!
“We had some steak & chips. Well skinny fries for me!
“It was good to get everyone in the same room for team bonding.
“The owner (M.Ashley) told us he’s going to go to more matches this year.
“He picked up the bill too which was nice.”
“You never knew with Newcastle what was going to happen and we are all glad he has got the signings in.
“Three great additions, it is not like he has gone out and bought rubbish!”
The midfielder also revealed his aims ahead of the 2020/21 season, saying we have what it takes to now push for the top 10:
With the signing of our new talisman Callum Wilson, as well as other attacking players Ryan Fraser, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron being goal-threats, you’d have to agree with Shelvey – they have to step up this season to help us climb the table.
Shelvey might’ve signed a deal until 2023, but there’s doubts every window about his future at the club. However, the 28-year-old insists that Newcastle is now ‘home’ and he won’t be leaving anytime soon.
“I go back to Essex and it’s not home.
“I go south and can’t wait to get back up the road.
“The people here are so friendly – it’s a different way of living than it is down south.”
It certainly seems Shelvey is in good spirits and hopefully he can avoid injuries this term and be back to his best – starting at West Ham this weekend!
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