Statistical Insights into Longstaff’s Importance at Newcastle

Sandro Tonali’s arrival at Newcastle United last summer was initially anticipated to strengthen the midfield, potentially at the cost of local player Sean Longstaff. Tonali made a notable impact on the opening day in the 5-1 victory against Aston Villa but subsequently faced a suspension that sidelined him for most of the season. Furthermore, at the commencement of the 2024-25 season, manager Eddie Howe seemingly encountered difficulties in establishing an optimal team balance, as the midfield combination of Joelinton, Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes did not consistently perform as expected. Last season, Newcastle lacked a broad array of midfield options due to extensive injuries within Eddie Howe’s squad. Currently, Howe faces difficult choices, which has occasionally led to Longstaff’s exclusion from the lineup. However, in recent weeks, with Joelinton deployed on the wing, the North Shields native has been restored to Newcastle’s starting XI, playing alongside Guimaraes and Joe Willock. This adjustment has contributed to a more dynamic Magpies formation, and fan observations on Thursday indicate Longstaff’s vital contribution to Newcastle’s enhanced performance. This season, Newcastle has participated in 11 Premier League matches, securing five wins. Longstaff has been in the starting lineup for six of these games, encompassing all five of the team’s victories. Howe’s squad has achieved three clean sheets this term, with Longstaff starting in two of those fixtures. Additionally, the Magpies have scored more than one goal in three league matches to date this season, and Longstaff started in all three of those encounters. This favorable pattern extends to the previous season, when the 27-year-old started 30 of Newcastle’s 38 Premier League matches, contributing to 17 wins. Following the opening-day triumph against Villa, Longstaff was kept on the bench for subsequent defeats to City, Liverpool, and Brighton. Reinstated into the starting XI for a 1-0 home victory against Brentford, the midfielder maintained his place in the team as Newcastle embarked on a seven-game unbeaten run, during which they scored 20 goals, including the notable 8-0 win over Sheff Utd. Last season, Newcastle achieved 10 clean sheets in the league, with Longstaff starting in nine of those fixtures. The team also scored more than one goal in 22 matches, and Longstaff was a starter in 20 of them. During the 2022-23 season, when Howe’s team secured qualification for the Champions League, their homegrown player, number 36, again demonstrated his crucial importance. Longstaff experienced only two defeats across his 28 starts throughout that campaign. Newcastle recorded 14 clean sheets, with 12 of those occurring in matches where the midfielder was in the starting lineup. The data unequivocally indicates Longstaff’s consistent role as a vital component of Howe’s system since the manager assumed leadership of the Magpies, contributing significantly in both offensive and defensive aspects, and he remains an understated local hero within the squad.