Jonjo Shelvey Might Just Be the Perfect Option for England at Euro 2021

It's been an up and down season for Newcastle. With a proposed Saudi takeover still hanging in the balance, uncertainty is marring the club at all levels. Since the Premier League has restarted following a three-month lockdown, however, they've looked refreshed.

And while Allan Saint-Maximin has stolen the headlines for his exciting dribbles and emphatic performances in recent weeks, there's more to Newcastle's upturn in fortunes than just the Frenchman.

Jonjo Shelvey has quietly been just as good - if not slightly better - than the Gucci headband-wearing winger, but his performances have gone under the radar. While some fans might suggest that Euro 2020 being postponed by 12 months has lessened his chances of a return to the England squad, it could actually work in his favour.

It's taken a few years for Shelvey to truly find his groove and mature both on and off the pitch, but he now looks better than ever.

Once highly rated at youth level, the now 28-year-old captained the national team at Under-17 level and already has six senior caps to his name, but hasn't been called up for international duty since 2015. In the time since, Shelvey moved to Newcastle and has seen his side be relegated from the Premier League, win the Championship and return to the top flight and remain there ever since. And despite some personal controversies on the way, he's become captain of the side.

Despite what people's assumptions of Shelvey might be, playing at a lower down Premier League side as he enters his peak, he's actually finding his groove and is arguably one of England's best midfield options right now. He's popped up with six goals and an assist for the Magpies so far - making him their second-top goalscorer this season - proving to be a valuable asset in the final third.

While many have written him off having had chances to impress at Liverpool and Swansea earlier in his career, Shelvey is proving all the doubters wrong.

A physical presence in the middle of the park, his work ethic is tireless, but this doesn't define his game. Shelvey boasts an impressive passing range which demonstrates his clever reading of the game. While one assist doesn't exactly set the world on fire, he's playing in a Newcastle side that severely lacks any attacking firepower. He also finds himself as by far and away the best midfielder at the club, meaning he's often trying to do the job of two people.

This season, Shelvey is averaging 1.7 key passes and 5.6 long balls per game, at a success rate of 77%. His work is precise and considered, and would no doubt add some much needed energy and precision into England's midfield, which is notoriously weak.

On paper, England's preferred options in central midfield are Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice.

The former has had his critics, but has captained Liverpool to their first ever Premier League in impeccable fashion. The latter has also enjoyed a promising season, but is still largely inexperienced at 21. Attacking options such as Jesse Lingard have also regressed, and Shelvey would no doubt provide more punch than the Man Utd midfielder.

Shelvey would return to the England side a much more well-rounded player than he appeared to be in 2015.

Now 28, he's enjoying his peak years and has had time to learn and reflect with more experience on and off the pitch. An experienced pairing of himself and Henderson could be what the otherwise young Three Lions squad is lacking. Furthermore, it gives time for Rice to concentrate on improving out of the international spotlight, where a lot would be expected of him.

The 12 month delay to Euro 2020 presents Shelvey with the perfect 'make or break' ultimatum.

If he doesn't replicate his newfound form next season, then Gareth Southgate can turn his attention elsewhere. If he does, he has another season of football experience under his belt - potentially in an improved Newcastle side depending on the status of their takeover - to bring to the European Championships next summer, which would prove that this recent run isn't just a purple patch.