How would a Matty Longstaff-Jonjo Shelvey midfield look for Newcastle?

With Isaac Hayden suspended, we may get to see a midfield duo of Matty Longstaff and Jonjo Shelvey vs. Leicester City.

Against Manchester City and Liverpool, Newcastle United deployed a duo of Matty Longstaff and Isaac Hayden in the central midfield. They were decent against City and very solid against Liverpool. But, with Hayden suspended vs. Leicester City due to yellow card accumulation, there could be a new pairing in the middle of the park for Newcastle.

After missing the Manchester City loss with soreness from his prior groin surgery, Jonjo Shelvey was back on the bench for Newcastle vs. Liverpool. Now, he may be expected to step back into the starting lineup vs. Leicester. With Longstaff playing well, it will likely be a pairing of him and Jonjo on Sunday.

The duo has never started a Premier League match together, but they did replace one another on multiple occasions last season.

On the pitch, the skills of Shelvey and the younger Longstaff will be fun to watch. Matty brings quickness, energy, and confidence dribbling at defenders when the time is right. Obviously, Shelvey sets the tempo for Newcastle with his poise, passing ability, and vision.

Those two playing together should give Newcastle a chance to push the ball forward with pace. Matty can use his movement off the ball to find pockets of space around the opposing midfielders and Shelvey will be able to get the ball to him.

Both players are capable defensively when they lock-in and they will need to do that against a talented Leicester side.

While Hayden’s play hasn’t merited him to be benched, the pairing of Matty Longstaff and Jonjo Shelvey could be a gamechanger for Newcastle United at times going forward.