Newcastle United 'delighted' as 18y/o duo bolster squad - but transfer decision looms
Newcastle United have frequently named young academy stars in the first-team squad this season - so why have we hardly seen them on the pitch?
Eddie Howe insists there is a pathway from Newcastle United’s academy to the first-team, a route exemplified by Lewis Miley’s pivotal role in the side at just 19.
The teenager broke into Newcastle’s first-team squad at just 17 and, two years on, has accumulated over 50 competitive first-team appearances for his boyhood club.
The midfielder has played a key role in the side this season, scoring some key goals while also covering at right-back and centre-back when needed.
But Miley’s first-team impact as a teenager only highlights what a special talent Newcastle have on their hands, as opportunities for other youngsters have been few and far between.
At 19, Elliot Anderson was out on loan at Bristol Rovers and never quite became a regular first-team starter despite his obvious potential and quality which has since been realised at Nottingham Forest.
Even Lewis Hall, who has established himself as one of Newcastle’s most important players over the past couple of seasons, had to wait almost a full season for a run in the first-team having joined the club initially on loan from Chelsea at just 18.
But we’re talking about exceptional young talents here - even they had to be patient and wait for their opportunity.
“The pathway is there for all the players in the various age groups beneath the first-team,” Howe explained last season.
"At the moment, we have Sean Neave and Leo Shahar training regularly with the first team and doing really well. I am really happy with them. So the window is open and we encourage that."
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Eddie Howe ‘delighted’ to have 18y/o duo at NewcastKE
Neave and Shahar are interesting case studies given their age and impact at Under-21s level. Both players are 18 and have been in and around the first-team for the best part of the last 12 months.
It’s almost exactly a year since Neave was named in Newcastle’s first-team squad for the first time in the FA Cup fourth round win at Birmingham City. Newcastle were 3-2 and Howe brought on top scoreer Alexander Isak to run around for the final seconds of the game at St Andrews while Neave remained on the bench.
The teenage forward has been named in Newcastle’s first-team squad 20 times over the past year but is still waiting to make his first-team debut.
Shahar, who was on the bench for Sunday’s 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa at St James’ Park, has been on the bench eight times but has yet to get on the pitch.
When asked what those players, or any academy prospects, have to do to actually get on the pitch after stepping into the first-team squad, Howe told The Gazette: “They've got to keep developing their careers and keep developing their talents.
“They're training with us every day. They're part of the group. The players that you mentioned have got great attitudes.
“They want to do well. Also, they need the dedication because you don't just become a Premier League player. It's so, so difficult.
“So it's that real dedication to your craft and the attitude every day to maximise in the training sessions that we put on. But I think they're going in the right direction.
“We're delighted they're with us and we hope to give them opportunities in the future, if they deserve it.”
Neave and Shahar have both been earmarked for potential loan exits this month.
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Alex Murphy decision looms for NUFC
Another player who has fallen victim to being too good to be with the Under-21s but not trusted enough to get on the pitch regularly or start games for the first-team is Alex Murphy.
At 21, Murphy is at an important stage in his career having spent the second half of last season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One.
The Republic of Ireland youth international have been named on the bench for Newcastle 44 times yet has only made four substitute appearances for the club, totalling 26 minutes of football.
Newcastle’s defensive injury situation and Murphy’s versatility to play at both left-back and centre-back have seen him stay around the squad this month rather than being loaned out as originally planned.
But with first-team opportunities not forthcoming and Dan Burn now back from injury, the club have a week to make a decision on whether Murphy remains with the first-team squad or is loaned out for the second half of the campaign.