In the summer of 2019 Sean Longstaff’s head was in a spin. A year before, hardly anyone knew his name but after breaking into Newcastle United’s first team towards the end of 2018, his mature performances in midfield began turning heads.
He became a regular starter under Rafa Benitez and talks of an England call-up reached a head on the eve of the March internationals. But in the penultimate game, vs Declan Rice’s West Ham, Longstaff badly injured his knee.
Declan Rice earned his first England call up a couple of days later while Longstaff lay on the treatment table. But the injury wasn’t enough to deter interest in the exciting midfield prospect.
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