Eddie Howe’s loyalty to certain players is something subject to both admirable praise and scathing criticism.
At times, the gaffer’s refusal to sell underperforming players he values has drawn the ire of many fans.
But with the benefit of hindsight, it has often paid off. Take Kieran Trippier: many fans were happy to sell in early 2024, before he became instrumental to our great form success in 2025.
But actually selling Sean Longstaff this summer looks to have been something that Howe wanted to avoid doing, and has expressed some frustration over the transfer.
Eddie Howe has properly addressed Longstaff’s departure for Leeds United for the first time.
Having fallen down the midfield pecking order, and entering the final year of his contract, Longstaff’s desire for first team minutes and for us to make money from selling him saw him move to Elland Road as part of a £15m deal.
Though a dependable midfield option, Longstaff also served as a homegrown option for us, and it’s looking like we may need to get someone else in to meet the Premier League and UEFA’s quotas.
“Yeah, of course it has been discussed (the UEFA rule and 21-man squad restriction). Sean was someone I never wanted to lose from the squad.”
“As we know, and I’ve said many times, finances, PSR, long-term planning, meant that sometimes these decisions have to be taken.”
In his farewell video, an emotional Dan Burn narrated how he and Longstaff will always be the two Geordies who scored in that famous win against PSG at St James’ Park.
Howe was similarly sad about the 27-year-old’s departure, and has now relayed just how big a miss he is to the positive dressing room environment.
“Sean is a big miss from our squad. Sean was very, very popular in the dressing room, very popular on the pitch. He did a great job and tactically understood everything that we needed him to do.”
Howe’s much-preferred midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, as good as they are, won’t be able to all play 60+ games next season.
With just Lewis Miley and Joe Willock available to cover in centre midfield, finding a new back-up option will be just another task to complete between now and the end of the transfer window.
Douglas Luiz has reportedly been discussed, amidst rumours he could be on his way out of Juventus after a torrid stint in Turin, though considering our current financial situation, could Howe call upon a young star from the academy?
Whilst not like-for-like replacements for Longstaff, the pair of Alfie Harrison and Travis Hernes look to be on the precipice of breaking into the senior squad, and with how well-regarded each youngster is, Howe could do a lot worse than call up either player to play in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup as part of our midfield next season.
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