John Giles has cited Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey as one of the best midfielders he’s seen in the Premier League this season after their 2-2 draw at home to West Ham last Sunday.
Speaking to Off The Ball, Giles was full of praise for the 28-year-old English midfielder, saying that he always had talent but never the discipline.
“I always saw him as a very talented lad who lacked discipline - that stopped him from fulfilling his promise as a very talented individual.
“I saw him against West Ham at Newcastle, and it was the best display I’ve seen from a midfielder this season, he was brilliant.
"He picked out the right pass, he worked hard, he scored the goal for them. He did all the things you want a midfield player to do.
“He should be in the prime of his career and he might just have the right manager in [Steve] Bruce.”
Giles on Shelvey
While Newcastle are currently sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League, Giles believes that a top club like Manchester City could be on the hunt for Shelvey, although admitting it could be a risk.
“It would be a gamble, but if I was Guardiola, I’d be very tempted to go for him.
“He has the skill, he can pick a pass, he can distribute it, he’s a well-gifted lad and he might be at an age now with the right manager, in the right team - he’d be as good as he’d promised to be years ago.
“I think he’d be made for Guardiola because he’d be playing with top-class players. I think he’d have the respect for Guardiola and, at 28, he’d know this is the last chance. It would be a gamble, but I don’t think you’d have to pay that much for him.
“This guy, when he’s playing, he’s up there with the best, but particularly now, he is as good as there is in the Premier League.”
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