Who actually is Newcastle’s best player right now?

From the playgrounds to the pubs of Newcastle and its surrounding area, there is always one debate that gets all of us who follow the Toon talking. Who is the best player we currently have? With the season now finished, I felt that this was an ideal time to address this debate. I believe that there are a select few who are worthy of this title, which I have deduced from watching the Toon all season.

I’m going to start, with the Newcastle Player of the Season, Jamaal Lascelles. Our captain has had another fantastic season, and was certainly deserving of the prestigious award his was honoured with. Even in the last year his ability to defend has greatly improved, and he has also managed to chip in with a few headed goals from set plays, helping to pick up vital points in our first campaign back in the Premier League. Naturally, for a centre-back, his technical ability is not world class, and in that department we do have better players, but when it comes to doing his job, I don’t think that there is anyone better in our squad. I cannot limit this debate to just one player however, so I must move to the man behind Jamaal Lascelles, Martin Dubravka.

Martin Dubravka may only been a Newcastle player since January, but in that time he has certainly made an impact. In the first half of the season, our goalkeeper was either Rob Elliot or Karl Darlow, but even though at times one seemed to have the upper hand, neither was fully able to nail down a position in the starting 11. Both however, were cast aside for the visit of Manchester United to St. James’ Park in February, and the newly-arrived Dubravka was in between the sticks. On that day he was outstanding, and kept the deadly attack of the Red Devils at bay, allowing for Matt Ritchie to capitalise on their missed chances mid-way through the second half. After that, Dubravka never looked back, and cemented his place in the side with more eye-catching displays in the second half of the season. He really has proven himself to be a top class keeper since he has been at the Toon.

Next up would be Kenedy, the Brazilian maestro, but with him returning to Chelsea, and the possibility of him returning to Newcastle looking uncertain, I shall bypass him for now, and move swiftly to Jonjo Shelvey. Jonjo Shelvey is without doubt, Newcastle’s star attraction. With his wide range of passing, on-the-ball ability and venomous shot, he is something to behold. Before I get deeply into the analysis, I will concede that his tally of 2 competitive goals in 2017/18 could and probably should have been better, but apart from that this season, especially the second half, he has been the full package. Game after game he commanded the midfield, picking it up deep and bringing it forward by whichever means he decided. I still feel that he should have been in with a chance of being included in the England World Cup Squad, after a brilliant season for us. Alas it was not to be, and I am sure he will come back even stronger next season.

Sitting alongside Shelvey in midfield, is Mo Diame. Now like others, Diame’s start to the season was at times, less than impressive. But since the turn of the year, he has been a changed man. Finally, we have started to see the real player in him. While Shelvey does the fancy stuff, Diame gets in amongst players, doing what needs to be done to win back possession and get the team moving again. That’s not to say though, that he can’t play, because he certainly can. His on-ball ability is second to none, and once he gets running he is very hard to stop. His contribution of two goals this season could have been higher, but when you consider the player that he was from January onwards, that pales into insignificance.

Finally, I want to consider two players who don’t always get the limelight: Ayoze Perez and Matt Ritchie. Both have chipped in with goals this season (Perez being our top scorer and Ritchie scoring when it mattered against Manchester United, Arsenal and Southampton). While Perez is easy on the eye with his skill with the ball, Ritchie is like a little Jack Russell terrier, that is to say that he never stops running and barking out orders. Two different players they may be, but both have been vital to securing the 10th place finish we achieved in May.

So, out of all those names, who is the very best? Well, after much consideration, I have opted for the star attraction himself, Jonjo Shelvey. Our English midfielder is the best player we’ve had since Cabaye or Ben Arfa, and with a passing capability to rival the best in the Premier League, if not the world, he was the obvious choice for me. I just hope that he continues to keep a level head on the pitch as he did in the second half of last season, and get even better by scoring a few more goals. But even so I believe that Jonjo is Newcastle’s best player.