Jonjo Shelvey Newcastle United
Deadline day signing Jonjo Shelvey has admitted he had to “plead” with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe to let him leave for Nottingham Forest. The midfielder penned a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Reds before the January transfer window closed last week. But it was a move which almost didn’t happen. Initially, Howe had been reluctant to sanction Shelvey’s departure – not least because he felt a replacement would be needed first. The 30-year-old was determined to get his way, however, and eventually managed to convince the Magpies manager to let him sign for Forest.
Jonjo Shelvy said: “He actually did say no. He said he couldn’t let me go at first. I sort of pleaded with him to let me go, which a lot of people don’t know. He said he would sleep on it, and he said he could only let me go if they could get one in. I just said I needed to leave for a fresh start and put my points across. The next day, he pulled me in and we had a little chat, and he granted my wish. He just said that he wouldn’t stand in the way of my happiness. It was a decision I had to make for football reasons, but not only that, a big thing was for my family and their future as well. It was, first of all, football, thinking about myself, coming away and playing games, and feeling part of it a lot more. It’s been a tough season. If anyone knows me, they know I just love playing football. I just love training and playing, and I just felt I needed a fresh start.”
