Sean Longstaff is undoubtedly a polarising figure among Newcastle fans. Often, his place is questioned in a Toon side that is finally shaking off its recent lethargy and challenge at the right end of the table.
However, when you dig down into the data behind Longstaff’s performances, his influence on the pitch is undeniable.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football Podcast, the local midfielder opened up about the challenges of playing for his boyhood club.
“There’s times when, if it’s not going well, you can be a target,” Longstaff admitted. “But that’s part of the privilege of playing for Newcastle. When you do play well, the fans are amazing.”
The criticism has not unsettled him, and the stats illustrate his importance to the side. Newcastle have won eight games in all competitions this season, and Longstaff has started every one of them. Without him, they’ve managed only three draws and three defeats.
His presence brings balance to Newcastle’s at-times disjointed midfield, complementing either Bruno Guimarães or Sandro Tonali, who both thrive in more creative roles. While his inclusion may mean a more fashionable player has to sit out, the results and, more importantly, the performances justify the decision.
“For me, the team overrides any individual,” manager Eddie Howe said when asked about his midfield choices. “The team has to take priority. It’s not about any one player; it’s about how the midfield - and the team - functions as a whole.”
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A Deep Dive Into the Stats
A closer look at Longstaff’s player profile reveals both his strengths and weaknesses.
Statistically, Longstaff is similar to players like Matúš Bero (Bochum), Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest), and John McGinn (Aston Villa). The data highlights his competence as a shooter, but his passing leaves much to be desired, with below-average performance in most metrics.
Longstaff excels in attacking contributions, ranking in the top percentiles for expected goals (xG) (0.20) and non-penalty expected goals (0.20). However, his passing stats are less impressive, placing him in the bottom 30 percentiles for passes attempted (39.33) and passes completed (80.7%).
Defensively, Longstaff stands out as one of Newcastle’s most reliable players. He ranks highly in blocking passes (1.28 per 90 minutes) and is almost error-free when it comes to mistakes leading to opponent shots (0.00). Additionally, he’s a capable tackler across the pitch, particularly excelling in the attacking third (0.44 tackles per 90).
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A Man for the Big Occasion
Despite his shortcomings, Longstaff has proven himself to be a player for the big occasion in recent years. Fans will fondly remember his decisive goals against Southampton in the Carabao Cup semi-final and his strike against PSG in the Champions League last season.
“You see that in big games, I’ve tended to play well, which is something I take pride in,” Longstaff said. “There’s nothing better than playing against the best players, and we experienced that last year in the Champions League.”
His influence in crucial matches extends beyond just scoring. In Newcastle’s gritty 1-0 win over Arsenal in early November, Longstaff was part of a midfield that outclassed Mikel Arteta’s side. His game intelligence shone through, as he effectively disrupted passing lanes, preventing balls from being played through into Arsenal’s midfield.
Longstaff’s work rate was also instrumental in the buildup to Newcastle’s goal. He harried Gabriel Martinelli into losing possession and provided vital defensive support to Tino Livramento, particularly when Arsenal focused their attacks down the left flank.
Topping off a tenacious display, Longstaff delivered crunching tackles on both Ethan Nwaneri (welcome to senior football) and Declan Rice, epitomising his dogged determination and commitment to the team. Entering the prime years of his career, he continues to prove his worth in Newcastle’s most pivotal games.
When asked by Gary Linekerabout his footballing ambitions, Longstaff made his priorities clear: “For me, it has to be winning something at Newcastle. We’ve never been in a stronger position than with the financial backing we’ve had. I need to make sure I’m improving. I’d love to win a trophy at Newcastle.”
However, Longstaff may need that success to come sooner rather than later. As Newcastle progresses towards becoming a possession-dominant side, technically excellent across the pitch, he will likely become surplus to requirements.
For now, though, his contribution to the team cannot be forgotten.
