2019/20 Newcastle United Review: Jonjo Shelvey

Jonjo Shelvey turned in arguably his best season yet with Newcastle United in 2019/20.

Since arriving at Newcastle United, Jonjo Shelvey’s time on Tyneside has been filled with flashes of brilliance, inconsistency, poor judgment and a bad temper, and battles with injuries. This season, the mercurial midfielder was at his best when healthy, scoring goals and changing the game with his passing.

2019-20 EPL stats: 26 appearances, six goals, two assists, 40 passes per match

Expert Breakdown

Durim Halimi: Jonjo Shelvey was a true general in the middle of the park for Newcastle United this season. His six goals and two assists made the difference in many games, but it was his vision and creativity that allowed the Magpies to comfortably avoid relegation.

Shelvey looked confident all season, was regularly one of the best performers on the pitch, and he should have had more assists to his name as he created several big chances.

Newcastle United will be in good hands in midfield next season so long as Shelvey picks up where he left off. If Shelvey keeps this up – bold statement incoming – he should land on Gareth Southgate’s radar for England.

Carson A. Merk: Jonjo Shelvey has been one of the most frustrating NUFC players since joining the club. You know how talented he is and how rare his skillset is, but he was too often getting in his own head and we only saw rare moments of his class.

But, this year was different. He seemed to find some stability under Steve Bruce and was the first-choice option in central midfield for most of the season when healthy.

He responded to Bruce’s confidence in him with a club-high six EPL goals, a couple of assists, and even served as captain in matches that Jamaal Lascelles was out for.

If this is the Jonjo we’re going to be seeing from here on out, Newcastle has a special weapon in their midfield.