Alan Curtis was not Jonjo Shelvey’s biggest fan when it came to picking the team.
Advertisement
Swansea manager Alan Curtis has denied suggestions Jonjo Shelvey was forced out of the club.
Jonjo Shelvey admits he is “a fortunate boy” to secure a move to Newcastle and is eager to start repaying his price tag.
Speaking to BBC Newcastle, he expressed his frustration with the Swans this campaign as he prepares for a new challenge in the North East.
Jonjo Shelvey has revealed how his Swansea nightmare drove him to tears of “disbelief”.
“The Swansea fans got on my back a bit at the end but they didn’t know what was going on”.
“I had trained hard all week and thought there was a good chance I’d be starting”.
For example, earlier in the season, he was suspended for the clash with his former club Liverpool after accumulating five yellow cards. I came home one day after I’d been dropped against Manchester City and I was almost in tears.
“Playing in front of 52,000 fans, there is no better platform as a 23-year-old, with people loving you and singing your name”, Newcastle’s latest signing said, according to The Sun.
Unveiled to the media for the first time since becoming a Newcastle player, Shelvey explained, “I want game time”. I had players coming up to me surprised and asking, ‘What have you done? He said he didn’t feel that my head was right and that the manager (Curtis) had said that.
Nonetheless, it seems the England midfielder is happy to be moving on and leaving the chapter of his career in South Wales behind.
‘Even at Swansea there were a lot of rumours going around without people knowing what was going on behind the scenes.
“The criticism does hurt you”, he says.
“I’m a very lucky boy that Newcastle have offered me a way out”. Being at the game the other night and driving around the city you see how much people love football. There is no bigger thing than to be picked for your country. “I’ve always admired Newcastle, it’s a great club and a great city”, says the former Charlton player from east London.
Asked about Shearer’s comment, Shelvey responded respectfully: “He doesn’t know what has gone on behind the scenes”.
“You are going to have a bad game – that does happen – but I need to knuckle down now and get my mind and body right, and hopefully get in the Euro 2016 squad”.
Advertisement
“Newcastle have paid quite a bit of money for me, so it’s only right that I go out there and justify the price tag”, he said.
