Alan Shearer questions Jonjo Shelvey attitude after Swansea allow midfielder to join relegation rivals Newcastle 

Alan Shearer has questioned the attitude of Jonjo Shelvey following the midfielder's £12million move to Newcastle from Swansea.

The Magpies legend queried the Swans' decision to allow the midfielder, an England international, to join a relegation rival.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live as he made his co-commentary debut during Newcastle's 3-3 draw with Manchester United, Shearer said: 'The first thing I would say about Jonjo, is he has ability. We've seen that in the past; he's an England international.

Jonjo Shelvey's attitude has been questioned by Alan Shearer following his £12million move to Newcastle

Shelvey completed his move to Tyneside from Swansea on Tuesday as Newcastle bid to beat the drop

Shearer believes Swansea's decision to allow Shelvey to join a rival raises questions over the player's attitude

'The one thing I would question: Swansea are in a desperate position in the Premier League as are Newcastle. Why would Swansea let an England international go to one of their relegation rivals? That is the big question I would ask.

'You would have to say, there has to be something wrong with his attitude.'

However, despite raising question marks over the player, Shearer believes the former Liverpool midfielder can be a good signing if he applies himself under the guidance of Magpies boss Steve McClaren. 

'If Steve McClaren can get the best out of him - many managers have tried and failed to do that - if McClaren can change all that, and it's always an if, then he will be a good buy but I think the jury has to remain out on him.

The midfielder was paraded at St James' Park ahead of Newcastle's 3-3 draw with Manchester United

Newcastle legend Shearer made his co-commentary debut on BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday evening

After spells with Liverpool and Swansea, Shelvey will not be given a better opportunity, insists Shearer

Shearer, a hero at St James' Park and the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer, insists 23-year-old Shelvey must make the most of his move to Newcastle as he will not get a bigger opportunity should the switch to Tyneside not work out.

'At his age, surely the penny has to drop,' said Shearer. 'You've had a chance at one of the biggest clubs in the world and it hasn't worked out for you - we all keep saying he's an England international, which he is. We all keep saying he's got ability, which he has, but eventually for him, the penny has to drop. 

'You get a chance in football and you have to take it. He's had two or three - he has to understand that he will not get a bigger opportunity than he has now at Newcastle.

'He's been at Liverpool, he's been at Swansea. He's now at a huge football club where the fans will adore him. He hasn't got another opportunty after this. He has to do it here.'