Newcastle United know they have a special talent in Lewis Miley.
Training with the Newcastle United first-team at 16-years-old. Making your Premier League debut at 17-year-old. Thriving in the Champions League against European giants such as Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. That does not happen unless you are a very special talent.
The sky is the limit for Lewis Miley, who was outstanding during a very difficult period for the Magpies last season. He was forced to step up at a very young age, and delivered.
Now the midfielder is back from injury, and looks poised to become even better. Miley has become stronger, with his body filling out. That will help him in the middle of the park, as he prepares to rub shoulders with the Premier League’s elite once again.
What Newcastle United staff have noticed about Lewis Miley
Technically, Miley is outstanding. He is an excellent passer of the ball, as we saw last season when he produced wonderful assists for the likes of Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
However, the 18-year-old has another talent that has caught the attention of Newcastle United staff. That is according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, who has spoken about Miley on the latest episode Pod On The Tyne.
“What they really like about him at Newcastle is not just technically that he’s very good, they also like his decision making,” he said.
“They think his football brain is what sets him apart.
“They are excited about him in the England setup as well.”
Short-term future is difficult for Lewis Miley
Long-term, Miley is going to be a superstar for Newcastle United. Short-term, it is unclear what his role is.
It was a case of needs must last season. With Sandro Tonali suspended and Joe Willock and Joelinton injured, Eddie Howe simply had to turn to Miley.
Of course, Howe was comfortable in doing so, as the teenager has earned his trust.
After missing seven months of action due to injury, Miley is now back, and he returns to a very difficult Newcastle United midfield. Tonali is no longer suspended, while Willock and Joelinton are fit again.
Combine that trio with Miley, Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff and Newcastle have got six centre-midfielders who are vying for just three places in the starting XI.
Since returning, Miley has barely featured. He came on in stoppage time during the Carabao Cup win over Chelsea, but that is his only Toon appearance this season.
In truth, he is going to struggle for minutes. But that should not concern Miley too much, who will have been made aware of the bigger picture by Howe.
Miley will know how highly rated he is at Newcastle United, while England officials also know he is a player with huge potential. His time will come, and there may even come a moment that Newcastle decide to loan him out.
For now, Miley will wait for an opportunity to put his football IQ to good use.
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