Newcastle United suddenly have a wealth of young talent with huge potential.
For a long time, there were not many players coming out of the Newcastle United academy.
That has changed since PIF bought the club, with the Newcastle United owners investing in youth. Firstly under Dan Ashworth and now Paul Mitchell, the Magpies are keen to nurture more of their own talent.
And the talent is certainly there to be nurtured. Sam Alabi trained with Newcastle’s first-team at the age of 15-years-old, while Trevan Sanusi recently made his Newcastle debut at 17-years-old.
How Newcastle United feel about Lewis Miley
But Newcastle United’s poster boy at youth level is still Lewis Miley.
The 18-year-old played incredibly well last season during the Magpies’ injury crisis, before succumbing to fitness issues of his own.
Now the midfielder is fit once again and back in Eddie Howe’s first-team squad, with his minutes beginning to increase. While last season Howe was forced to pick Miley, this year he is playing the teenager by choice.
There is a desire for Miley to continue developing and improving, with the Athletic reporting that Newcastle United view his progress as ‘vital’.
Newcastle United need Miley to become a regular starter
He certainly is progressing. Miley became physically stronger during his injury layoff, as he continues to grow into his body.
The local lad played 45 minutes against Manchester City on Saturday and was impressive. It was a desperate performance from Newcastle, but Eddie Howe took time to praise Miley for his efforts.
Miley is an ‘exceptional talent’. He proved that last season when he held his own in the Champions League against the likes of AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.
This season has been harder for Miley. He has had his own fitness issues, while he has had competition for minutes too.
But Newcastle know they need to continue exposing Miley to senior football. They know that it is a pivotal part of his progression, with the hope being that he will eventually become a regular starter at St James’ Park.
There needs to be a clear path for Miley. He has been hyped up as a superstar from the age of 16, and is now very much an established member of Newcastle United’s first-team.
The next goal is starting regularly when there is midfield competition. He needs to be in the team on merit, rather than necessity.
That could happen over the next few weeks, especially during Joelinton’s injury absence.
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