The youngest player in the Newcastle United first team is Joe Willock and it’s safe to say the midfielder has had a poor season so far.
It was always going to be difficult for the 22-year-old to replicate the form which saw finish last season scoring in eight Premier League games in a row.
But the England under-21 international’s form was deemed good enough by Mike Ashley, as he stumped up £25m (Sky Sports) to sign the former Arsenal man on a permanent deal for Steve Bruce.
With Newcastle’s youngest first team player struggling for form, our young player of the season so far, comes via the club’s under-23 side.
Dylan Stephenson
In his first full season at Premier League 2 level, Stephenson has already established himself as one of the best goalscorers in the country within the academy footballing pyramid.
With 11 goals to his name already this season, the 19-year-old is on track to comfortably surpass his previous best goalscoring campaign (12), which came last year.
In 72 games for the Newcastle youth sides, Stephenson has 32 goals and five assists to his name, so he is averaging a goalscoring contribution in every other match.
Only James McAtee (11), Dilan Markanday (11) and Folarin Balogun (13) have score more goals than Stephenson so far this season at Premier League 2 level.
The 18-year-old has scored 10 goals in 13 Premier League 2 appearances for the Magpies’ uinder-23 side this season, which included a brace in the Tyne-Wear derby win over rivals Sunderland.
Although Stephenson’s current Newcastle contract expires at the end of the season, the Chronicle report that the youngster is likely to be offered a new deal on the advice of Steve Harper.
The local lad, who Eddie Howe has already given a chance to train with the first-team, will be hoping to work his way through the academy up to leading the frontline for Howe’s side.
Although the Chronicle state that Newcastle may resist Football League interest in January, it does seem a loan move may be on the cards for Stephenson next season.
For all of PIFs wealth, there will be nothing more rewarding than seeing a Newcastle lad come through the ranks and lead the club into a new era of hope and success.
Stephenson could be that man.
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