Eddie Howe has suggested to Chronicle Live that he didn’t want to let Jonjo Shelvey join Nottingham Forest. The 31-year-old signed for the Reds during the January transfer window, ending a seven-year stay with Newcastle.
Howe was a big fan of Shelvey. Not only was he a useful squad player but the Magpies’ boss was fond of his presence among some of the club’s younger players in the dressing room.
A desire to play first-team football was too strong for Shelvey to resist, however. He pushed for the deal to go through and Howe was powerless to prevent the player from leaving.
Howe now has Joelinton suspended. He believes that a huge void has been left with Shelvey departing and he’s suggested that he didn’t want him to go in January.
He told Chronicle Live: “Yeah, we are light in midfield. I don’t think it was a risk but it wasn’t a decision I wanted to take.
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“It was 99.9% out of my hands that Jonjo was going to leave. We sort of feel a bit of a hole has been left with his presence gone, but it’s happened and now we have to make the best of the situation.”
Howe has suggested he didn’t want Shelvey to leave
The Reds are better for the signing of the midfielder. He brings some experience to their fight against relegation and so far he’s looked largely useful for Forest when he’s played.
Shelvey enjoyed a decent rapport with the Newcastle fan base. He spent several years at St James’ Park and made 202 appearances for the club after joining from Swansea.
Time will tell whether or not Shelvey will truly be a good signing for the Reds. Forest have work to do in their quest to avoid relegation and they will hope that Shelvey can keep up his good form.