FORMER Premier League and England star Jonjo Shelvey once claimed he got more praise for his teeth than his performances.
This 31-year-old midfielder came through the ranks at Charlton Athletic before he was snapped up by Liverpool in 2010.
He spent three years at Anfield, winning the League Cup, and scored twice in 47 appearances inbetween a spell on loan at Blackpool.
It was during this period that the Romford-born ace received senior international recognition after several campaigns playing for the U21s.
He then made his England debut at the age of 20 back in 2012 during a World Cup qualifying win over San Marino.
Shelvey went on to win a further five caps for his country, the last coming in November 2015 against France, by which time he had left Liverpool.
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Swansea City swooped to sign him in the summer of 2013 and he shone in South Wales over the next three seasons.
Newcastle then splashed out £12m in January 2016 for him and he became a huge fan favourite on Tyneside.
Having helped them to Championship promotion in 2017, he was a regular for several years after their return to the Premier League.
However, Shelvey struggled for match action after the Saudi takeover led to an influx of players under Eddie Howe and he bid an emotional farewell to Tyneside in January.
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He moved to fellow top-flight outfit Nottingham Forest – but the transfer has turned into a disaster.
The playmaker only made eight appearances for Steve Cooper’s men before he was left out of the squad for Forest’s final seven games of the season following a row about being left on the bench for the game against Liverpool.
Shelvey escaped his City Ground nightmare during the summer transfer window.
He left the club to sign for Turkish side Caykur Rizespor on a season-long loan and he found himself in the headlines earlier this week.
Shelvey opened his account in Turkey with a stunning strike from inside his OWN HALF – but even that is not what he thinks he will be remembered for.
Back in 2018, he took part in a strange interview where he discussed aliens and the afterlife.
And he also had plenty to say about his teeth having previously had a new set installed.
When asked what it is that he receives most praise for, Shelvey said: “Are we talking football related? If not, probably about my new teeth.
“I’ve had it loads, people say they’re much better than what they were.”
However, Shelvey agonisingly LOST A TOOTH after going in for a challenge in 2021 – but still managed to play on.
That was while he was playing for Newcastle and went up for a header with Sheffield United's Ben Osborn during a Premier League match.
He actually won the duel but definitely came off worse after falling to the ground clutching his face.
He was then pictured holding the missing tooth before being escorted off the pitch, only to heroically then continuing playing in a brilliant display of bravery.
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