Wednesday 9 May 2018 14:29, UK
Jonjo Shelvey believes Rafa Benitez would be the “most important signing of the summer” if he could be persuaded to stay at Newcastle.
The Magpies were hovering around the relegation places earlier in the season but Benitez - whose contract has just over a year to run - has guided them up the table to safety and Shelvey has paid tribute to the positive effect he has brought to St James' Park.
"Hopefully the manager will stay and we can keep building. I think that would be the most important signing of the summer is we could make Rafa stay," he told Sky Sports News.
"He's turned the club around. When I first came here, there wasn't really a link between the fans and the players. Now there is such a buzz in Newcastle.
"He's got this aura about him. If you look at his CV, it speaks for itself. You just want to keep learning from him. You just need to be like a sponge and take it all in."
Shelvey also noted the difference in Benitez's approach to adversity compared to other managers, citing the example of how he reacted when Newcastle went in at half-time two down away to Watford on Saturday.
"We were losing 2-0 at half-time the other day and in other dressing rooms I've been in, I would think 'we're going to get one here at half-time', but he just stayed calm," added Shelvey.
"I think that transferred onto the pitch in the second half, we were a different team. That shows a lot about him as a character."
Shelvey's season started in disastrous fashion, as he was red-carded in the 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham after he trod on Dele Alli's ankle in front of the referee.
That left the midfielder fearing the worst when he next reported for training but his manager's reaction to his dismissal was again telling.
"I sent a text to him and some of my team-mates when I got home, just apologising," said Shelvey.
"The next day I came into training and he put his arm around me and said 'just forget about it, let's move on and keep pushing towards where we know you can get to.'
"I could have found myself training with the younger lads but luckily for me, I have a manager who trusts me, has faith in me and knows I can play good football."
Fast forward to the closing stages of the season and Shelvey's impressive form has seen him mentioned as a possible inclusion in England's World Cup squad.
Shelvey has not heard anything from national boss Gareth Southgate but admitted it would be great to be in Russia with England rather than watching the action at home on TV.
"It would be lovely to get called up and it would probably be the biggest achievement I will ever have, to go the World Cup," said Shelvey.
"I've not heard anything but I don't know how it works, I've been out of the set-up for a long time.
"In the past I would have been there sat there with a glass of beer watching it but hopefully I'll be there. You want to play for your country and obviously that is my aim."
