Newcastle’s latest plan suggests that the club are finally on the right path – opinion

Newcastle have lacked direction in recent years. There’s no way around it. Rafa Benitez has done his best, but a lack of a long-term vision at the club has made progress slow.

Clearly, there’s a need for that to change. And maybe, just maybe, that could be on the way.

In what will be hugely positive news for fans, the Chronicle are reporting that Newcastle want to offer Sean Longstaff a new long-term contract at St. James’ Park. They’ve been pleased with his progress, and they’re eager to ensure that he’s happy to stay at the club long-term.

There’s no real need for Longstaff to get a new deal. He’s got a lengthy contract, with TransferMarkt stating that his current deal ends in 2022, and so in theory, he’s tied down long-term.

However, the club are instead being proactive. They’re not waiting for things to bee a problem, or for Longstaff to be frustrated at his salary. They’ve looked at Longstaff’s form, and they’ve recognised that he’s worth more than he’s currently being offered – and they’re going to reward him as such.

That suggests that they’re putting a long-term plan in place to keep the squad happy, and Longstaff is particularly important in that sense. He’s young, he’s homegrown, and he knows the club. To lose him would be a disaster, and if he were to become unhappy, that would be a big step back for the club.

Fortunately, with this positive movement, maybe things are on the up at St James’ Park. Even if Benitez still hasn’t signed on…

Thoughts?