Jonjo Shelvey must be wondering what he needs to do to get a recall to the England squad. Gareth Southgate selected the likes of Bournemouth`s Lewis Cook and West Brom`s David Livermore ahead of our no.8 despite clearly having performed to a higher level in recent months.
He showed everyone what he can do with two assists against Southampton last time out, and there`s no doubt he has done all he can to convince the England manager that he warrants a place in the team.
Rafa has said he was delighted with Jonjo`s determination to recover from a knee injury that could have kept him out of the Saints game:
‘He was injured during the week. He was pushing really hard. We felt that maybe he couldn`t play but he was desperate. That is positive for the team.’
In our manager`s mind it seems his work ethic and attitude are top notch at the moment, but it looks as though he has a fair way to go before he convinces others outside of the club that he merits another chance.
Of course, his omission means we don`t have to worry about him picking up any knocks, and he can now focus purely on our next game against Huddersfield after the international break. On Twitter fans couldn`t understand the 26 year old`s selection snub.
Same old, same old.
? Toonfan (@ataylor1892) 15 March 2018
Plenty of time for international honours. Let him and Shelvey concentrate on fighting off relegation first and foremost. Imagine getting a season ending injury in a pointless England friendly. No need to risk that at this stage of the season.
? Kevin Brown (@kevbrown77) 16 March 2018
Good.. never cared about england national team since italia 90..
? peter north (@peterrn1982) 15 March 2018
Southgate sitting on the fence and keeping his mates happy. Can anyone tell me do we have another english players who can break lines with passes like Shelvey?
? Declan Murphy (@Dec_Murph) 16 March 2018
What does Jonjo Shelvey have to do to get an England call up?
? Babanla (@biolakazeem) 15 March 2018
Dude is in good form and better than some existing options. But yeah, he doesn’t play for a ‘top’ club in a sentimental England
? Chukwunyere Ugwuanya (@Chuksophy) 15 March 2018
Lewis Cook and Jake Livermore over Jonjo Shelvey. What’s Southgate smoking?
? NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) 15 March 2018
Let’s just hope they don’t fail too hard at the WC and Southgate gets to stay on providing mediocrity and overlooking our players. Wouldn’t want an FA approach for Rafa in the summer.
? Jason Carter (@Prawnography9) 15 March 2018
Don’t knock it…..i am pleased they weren’t called up. Let’s see what happens once we are safe from relegation.
Lascelles will get a call up sooner rather than later? Terry EGDELL (@TerryEgdell) 15 March 2018
I get Cook. He`s playing well and he deserves a go just as much as Shelv and Lasc. But Livermore, Rose, Hart… I could go on
? Dijon Davies (@lee_davies86) 15 March 2018