Newcastle United fans got their first glimpse of Yankuba Minteh in the Premier League at the weekend.
The 20-year-old made his Brighton And Hove Albion debut on Saturday, starting the Seagulls’ 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park. It was a really impressive first outing from Yankuba Minteh, and one that will have left Newcastle United fans wondering ‘what if’.
The Magpies had to sell Minteh earlier this summer, with the winger identified as a solution to the club’s PSR situation. He was sold to Brighton for £33million, despite never kicking a ball for Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe was disappointed to see Minteh go, and it is very easy to understand why after his first appearance in a Brighton shirt.
Yankuba Minteh enjoys blistering Brighton debut
Minteh started on the right of Brighton’s attack, and was a real livewire down that flank. His speed caused Everton so many problems, while he also got an assist.
A great bit of wing play saw Minteh beat his man and flash a ball across the face of goal with his right foot, with Kaoru Mitoma getting a tap in at the back post.
It was outstanding from Minteh, showcasing the type of talent on the right that Newcastle are crying out for.
His debut only last 45 minutes, however, with Minteh coming off in first half stoppage time due to concussion.
Jamie Carragher makes Newcastle United claim about Minteh
But it was a blistering 45 minutes – a half of football that really caught the eye of Jamie Carragher.
The former Liverpool defender has been speaking about Minteh on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, and named Minteh as his ‘player to watch’ for the 2024/25 Premier League season.
“I read a lot about him over the summer and towards the end of last season about him coming back to Newcastle,” he said.
“Obviously they moved him on because of the financial situation. But when I look at what Newcastle have got on that right-hand side – Jacob Murphy’s done a brilliant job for the last few years, Almiron I think is a player they were trying to move on to the MLS, so whether he’ll stay or not…
“But that lad [Minteh], certainly what I saw last season and what he did against Everton at the weekend, I think that’s one that Newcastle are going to really rue in years to come. He was fantastic at Goodison Park and looks the real deal.”
Carragher is right, but Newcastle were powerless due to PSR
Unfortunately for Newcastle United, Carragher is spot on when it comes to Minteh. His electric performance was an early indication that the Magpies are going to rue letting the Gambia international go, even if his departure was enforced.
Newcastle had to sell to salvage their PSR situation ahead of June 30th, with the club having a shortfall of £70million. It meant some hard decisions had to be made, and it resulted in Minteh and Elliot Anderson being sold.
That was a real shame, as they are two young players with bright futures. However, their exits were more palatable compared to stars like Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes or Alexander Isak departing.
Regardless, Newcastle will go on to regret having to let Minteh go. They are in the market for a right winger at this moment in time, and Minteh has already shown he was the player they are crying out for.
Instead, he did not get a chance to show Eddie Howe what he was capable of. He was moved on to ensure Newcastle avoided a points deduction, and now Toon officials are scrambling to bring in an alternative right winger.
Frustratingly, Newcastle had their Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron upgrade all along, but now he is a Brighton player, and Carragher’s one to watch for the new campaign.
Interestingly, Carragher recently defended PSR when asked about it by a Newcastle fan, admitting that clubs should have to pay for their mistakes if their recruitment is not spot on.
Arguably, there has been nothing wrong with Newcastle’s recruitment. The issue has been the level of investment compared to the amount of money coming back into the club.
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