I coached Sean Longstaff at Newcastle and this is what Leeds United are getting
Leeds United picked up the Newcastle academy graduate for an initial £12m over the summer.
Former Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn insists Sean Longstaff will be a good signing for Daniel Farke’s side, having seen the midfielder come through at Newcastle United.
Longstaff left boyhood club Newcastle for Leeds over the summer, following the agreement of a £15million deal. The 27-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Elland Road and has impressed so far after a shaky start during last month’s disappointing Carabao Cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday.
A pair of injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka opened the door for Longstaff to get his first Premier League start in Leeds colours against Newcastle, and the midfielder played like a man with a point to prove. The Magpies academy graduate covered huge amounts of ground and snapped into tackles against his former teammates.
He was decent against Fulham too and has left Farke with a decision to make, following Ampadu and Tanaka’s return to fitness - the latter as an unused substitute at Craven Cottage. Redfearn was in charge of Newcastle’s Under-23s and took charge of the first-team on an interim basis as Longstaff established himself in the north east, and the former Whites boss expects a continued positive impact.
"When I was at Newcastle there was Sean Longstaff, and his brother [Matty] as well," Redfearn told the Yorkshire Post. “Sean was one of the kids that came through. Some grasp it and swim, and some come a little bit later. Sean was one of the players that got in and amongst that team. He's a good signing for Leeds.
“They've established themselves as a top Premier League club now, Newcastle United, and they're challenging the top-six, top-eight positions. Even losing [Alexander] Isak they've still got good players there. So for young players trying to get in here, it becomes tougher.”
Sean Longstaff is giving Daniel Farke a decision to make in midfield
That increased spending and competition made it harder for Longstaff at Newcastle, with the midfielder competing for minutes with arguably the Premier League’s best midfield trio. Eddie Howe has found a perfect balance with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, with little chance of anyone breaking into the team in that position.
Longstaff initially started his Leeds career on the bench but has impressed during both Premier League starts against Newcastle and Fulham, staking his claim to start going forward. Farke looks set in two of his three midfield positions, with Ampadu coming straight back in at Craven Cottage while Anton Stach has started every league fixture so far.
The third and final position is currently between Longstaff and Tanaka, the latter of whom missed recent matches due to a knee injury but has now recovered. Farke has two different profiles to pick from, with Longstaff providing plenty of energy while Tanaka is the more technically superior option.
Those differences should give Farke the chance to adapt his midfield based on the opponent, with Tanaka theoretically more effective in games Leeds expect to dominate possession. The German’s choice will likely be a key talking point when his side face Wolves at Molineux this weekend.