World Cup 2018: Newcastle star Jonjo Shelvey the answer to England’s midfield problems, claims Chris Waddle
ENGLAND legend Chris Waddle thinks Jonjo Shelvey is the man to solve Gareth Southgate's midfield woes.
The Three Lions needed a last-gasp Harry Kane strike to beat Slovenia and seal World Cup qualification after another lifeless performance.
Fans were so bored they resorted to making paper aeroplanes and ex-Newcastle star Waddle thinks Shelvey would provide much-needed creativity.
He told BBC Radio 5Live: “People knock me down when I say it, but Jonjo Shelvey is the best I’ve seen at passing the ball at distance.
“But he won’t get in the squad for reasons we don’t know.”
Shelvey, 25, recently returned to the Magpies team after serving a three-match ban for seeing red in the season-opener against Tottenham.
The six-cap midfielder was also suspended for six matches and fined £100,000 last season after being accused of racially abusing Romain Saiss.
But Waddle, 56, insists Southgate must find a player with the range of passing needed to break down stubborn defences.
He added: "Performances over the last two or three games are not good enough to do well in Russia.
“There is a lot of work to be done. We definitely need to find a quality midfield player who has got a range of passing which can help this side.
“Going forward, I don’t think England are too bad, but they need supply.”
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