Glenn Hoddle believes Jonjo Shelvey has 'changed' Newcastle United following a conversation with Eddie Howe over a key role to make the team 'tick'.
The head coach immediately identified the Magpies' playmaker as key figure in his plans following his appointment in November, and the 29-year-old has started all but one of the following 14 fixtures.
Shelvey has formed an effective partnership in midfield alongside Joelinton and Joe Willock, with their performances in recent weeks so far denying Bruno Guimaraes a full black-and-white debut.
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Willock grabbed the headlines following the 1-1 draw at West Ham on Saturday after netting the equaliser, while Joelinton's remarkable transformation continues to garner widespread praise.
However, former England manager and Tottenham legend Hoddle has named Shelvey as the most important player in the Magpies' recent revival.
United extended their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches with the draw in the capital, and the pundit has suggested Howe had an early conversation with the midfielder to outline his key role in his plans.
He told Premier League Productions: "They look a team now. For me, when Eddie Howe first went there, he got Covid, he couldn't get on the training ground with them.
"They lost a few key players, it was a bit of a mish-mash. Now he's had some time after the transfers have come in to sit and settle them down, and work on the training ground, they look a team. Without those three top players too.
"I think he's sat Shelvey down and said you're my cup of tea. He wasn't other managers cups of tea, fair enough, but you're a footballer and I want footballers in my midfield.
"But you do need to be responsible in that position, you do need to shield the centre-backs, you do need to drop in there. You're not a goalscorer, you'll come up with a few 30-yarders.
"He's the one for me that's changed that team and makes them tick. He might not score the goals or create them, but he's making them tick and he's a good footballer."
Willock was singled out for praise by Newcastle legend Alan Shearer after scoring his first goal of the season at the London Stadium.
Hoddle reckons the pressure from the sidelines from January signing Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff has helped the 22-year-old rediscover his best form.
He added: "They look a team now, they really do, and there's competition for places there. I think Willock started playing like he did at the back-end of last year when he was scoring goals.
"He looked like he was safe in the team. Now he's looking over his shoulder and going I've got to perform to stay in the team, look what happened."
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