The International Manager Has Sent Three Letter Words By  Informing  Newcastle Of His Leaving

Former England international Danny Murphy is questioning Gareth Southgate for overlooking Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff with the midfielder in fine form for the Premier League giants.

So much that Murphy, once of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, now believes Newcastle’s all-action academy graduate is unfortunate not to have earned himself a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad, at a time where the inclusion of Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips is the cause of such debate.

Sean Longstaff shining for Newcastle United

“When you look at some of the other players he could try in that Henderson or Phillips role, we are not short (of options),” Murphy, capped nine times by the Three Lions between 2001 and 2003, tells talkSPORT (18 October, 10am).

 

“Rico Lewis plays in that role for Man City for so often and Pep picks him there ahead of Phillips. Rico Lewis should be in the squad. He plays in big matches for Man City and he’s brilliant. I also think ‘what does Phillips do that James Ward-Prowse can’t do’? Ward-Prowse gives you more.

“Even someone like Longstaff hasn’t had a chance. He’s been sensational now for 12 months. Some may say he hasn’t got the creativity but (Southgate has) got options. We’ve got players.Former England international Danny Murphy is questioning Gareth Southgate for overlooking Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff with the midfielder in fine form for the Premier League giants.

As recently as 18 months ago, Newcastle United found themselves receiving a lowball £1 million bid from Everton for a player who, like so many in an underperforming Magpies squad, had lost his way during the draining depression of the Steve Bruce regime (Daily Mail).

And, a la Fabian Schar, Joelinton and co, Sean Longstaff has been a man revived by the sweeping introduction of a bold new era at St James’ Park.

hriving in one of the box-to-box ‘number eight’ roles alongside Bruno Guimaraes in Newcastle’s ferocious, full-throttle midfield, Longstaff has played 360 more minutes of Premier League football than the seldom-seen Kalvin Phillips in 2023/24.

He even scored in the 4-1 Champions League hammering of Paris Saint-Germain.