Newcastle have been linked with a number of top youngsters in the last couple of months, who we may want to bring in during the upcoming January window.
They include 19 year-old Partizan Belgrade defender Nikola Milenkovic, Sunderland’s 17 year-old whiz kid Joel Asoro and today there was news we want to sign 19 year-old Wilfred Ndidi, a versatile defender from Belgium club Genk.
19 year-old Anderlecht central midfielder Youri Tielemans
We’ve also been linked with players we didn’t get in last summer like Brentford play-make Alan Judge, but there’s also a high likelihood that one player we will sign in January is Christian Atsu, who is on loan for the season from Chelsea and has looked very good.
It seems Newcastle may need more creativity in the side and that has been brought to light because of the possible 5 game suspension of play-maker Jonjo Shelvey, after he was charged with misconduct last week by the FA.
Alan Judge of Brentford is one player who can provide that creativity, but Rafa is also after younger players who can improve at Newcastle.
Youri Tielemans is a Belgian footballer who has a Belgian father and a mother of Congolese descent and that we have been linked with in the last few months.
The 19 year-old plays at Anderlecht and became the youngest Belgian player to play in the UEFA Champions League, when he made his Champions League debut at the age of only 16 years and 148 days in October, 2013.
And Tielemans made his senior debut for Belgium last Thursday, when he came on as a late sub in a friendly with the Netherlands which ended in a 1-1 draw.
He is one of the top young prospects in world football and has already played over 150 games for Anderlecht and he doesn’t turn 20 until May.
Youri is doing well this season with 20 appearances for the Belgian giants and 8 goals; in total he has now played 152 games with 25 goals for his Belgium club.
Not surprisingly he is interesting some top clubs and since the summer Jose Mourinho of Manchester United is said to be very keen to sign him.
But with Rafa Benitez at Newcastle, and the club on the rise, we should be able to challenge any club for this talented teenager.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
88 comments so far
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 1:36 PM
Comment #1Mitro needs to keep working on his mobility and all round game as Rafa doesn’t like to play the high balls to a big target man game.
I hope he stays with us and develops into an all round top striker, love this lad’s enthusiasm.
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 1:43 PM
Comment #2Good to see the scouting team doing their job and following top young talent.
It was refreshing to see how quickly and efficiently Rafa and Charnley restructured the squad with many comings and goings. We didn’t hear any , ” Couldn’t just get him over the line” shyte and I’m expecting a smooth transition into the PL under Rafa with some exciting new signings.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 13, 2016 at 1:49 PM
Comment #3I counted 9 comments in the last 6 threads. Saying it’s quiet on here is an understatement!! It amazing how the international break kills the blog. There’s no more till March now, so we can get back to talking about the Toon and bickering in general.
I’ve been gardening and painting so that’s my reason for absence. But then again I haven’t had anything to say.
If these rumours are true then it looks as if Rafa (all hail him) is wanting to get good young uns in rather than spending big on established players.
I see that Nile Ranger scored two for Southend yesterday is he finally settling down to a sensible approach to his life?
There you go a couple of starters for ten.
Munster Mag
Nov 13, 2016 at 1:57 PM
Comment #4I read in the Sunday Times that mitro was pretty crap apart from the goal?
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 13, 2016 at 1:59 PM
Comment #5Munster
I’d settle for crap for us if he keeps scoring goals. 🙂
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:07 PM
Comment #6Munster…… To be fair to Mitro when he plays for his country they have him as an old fashioned target man waiting for crosses , so he can’t do much without the service.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:07 PM
Comment #7EGB,
It goes a lot further than the international break.
Just watching Peterborough vs Bolton by default and unless Sameobi has been subbed he has literally disappeared.
hibbit
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:08 PM
Comment #8essex
finally caught you
thick cloud and heavy rain at the moment not looking good for us moon watchers
it should be noticeable the size of it from tonight
if we can see it
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:09 PM
Comment #9Bill……….. It needs a good row to spark things up. Now what was you saying there you …….! Only joking.
Sav
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:16 PM
Comment #10Mitro’s touch was decent when he had one. But chiefly he was impressive for pacing himself, being patient, not getting frustrated with the lack of service and being ready when at last one chance came his way. That level of concentration and ice had Rafa all over it. Had that chance not presented itself, he’d have been reading entirely different headlines today which is a pressure in itself.
As for buying youngsters in January, its like those old Chuck Norris gags, they are good enough if Rafa says they are. That’s good enough for me anyways.
jinxeddeep
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:16 PM
Comment #11I really wish we sign him…I’ve been following him since the first time we were linked to him i.e. when mitro was about to be signed, and I have to say that this guy is brilliant…apart from having several key abilities such as a fantastic vision for passes (a key attribute for a central midfielder) he is also uncannily calm and composed for a 19 year old. This guy is definitely one that’ll make headlines in the near future…would be delighted to get him.
WWSBRD
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #12Cracking player would be brilliant if we got him doubt we will though. And competing with Man Utd? Howay man we are in the Championship
All these links are to pretty young players for the future types, barring Judge and the Irish lad whose contract will be up, this a case of no experience being brought in?
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #13Jinxed…… What position does he play?
WWSBRD
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:24 PM
Comment #14Munster
He did nothing other than the goal mate
sing in the corner
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Comment #15betty@9
..it’s £1 for a 5 minute argument, or £8 for a course of 10!
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:26 PM
Comment #16Sing…….. No it isn’t.
Bobbybee
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:29 PM
Comment #17Don’t know this lad myself, so can’t comment. No doubt we’ll be linked to many players until the window closes. Thought Mitrovic worked very hard yesterday with poor service, but the one chance he got – didn’t he take it well? Mr Bendy Neck. 🙂 Hope he keeps this run going.
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:33 PM
Comment #18Bobby……. I strongly disagree but I’m not allowed to argue unless you pay.
Bobbybee
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:35 PM
Comment #19Sorry Betty mate, I’m skint. 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:36 PM
Comment #20Gary Lineker wouldn’t touch the ball all game then score a goal.
WWSBRD
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:39 PM
Comment #21Jail
Lineker also played 26 years ago mate
Bobbybee
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:40 PM
Comment #22Jail, bang on mate. If he ends up anywhere near as good as Lineker I’d be happy. As headers go it really was top notch. To head it from behind you like that and still get power enough to beat the keeper says it all.
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #23Jail……. The point is the team has to be set up completely differently to accommodate the old fashioned centr forward who just stands in the box waiting for the ball. Rafa likes to play it on the deck with quick movement and passing and the striker running in behind the defence.
Mitro will hopefully adapt or a compromise found.
WWSBRD
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:45 PM
Comment #24…might be wrong in years haha but it was a long time ago
sing in the corner
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:46 PM
Comment #25You can see he’s making a huge effort not to get involved in the wind up tactics opposition defenders are obviously targeting him with. And it’s working! Mind you, it’s ok when you’re in form and things are going your way..
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Comment #26WWS….. Good point. The game has evolved considerably in the last 26 yrs. Rafa is a modern progressive manager and likes to keep up with modern tactics.
Jail needs to modernise his views!
Bobbybee
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:52 PM
Comment #27I think Mitro is adapting well to Rafa’s tactics. His versatility is there to be seen by the way he switches from league to international tactics. He plays a different game for his national side but still scores. Slimmer and quicker than last season, which shows he’s knuckling down and listening to what Rafa wants from him. Still learning his trade remember, but one chance, one goal is a decent return.
WWSBRD
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:55 PM
Comment #28betty
Certainly has not many top level target men around anymore or goal poachers, need more to ur game these days
JAMSHA
Nov 13, 2016 at 2:59 PM
Comment #29Hope We Get This Lad, Saviet Out Tielemans In
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:00 PM
Comment #30I think Jail is suffering from his playing days when we still had the old caser ball with the laces. These balls used to absorb all the water and mud on a rainy day and become extremely heavy. Imagine heading that on a regular basis. Unfortunately it appears to have done long lasting damage.
Bobbybee
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:02 PM
Comment #31The game can evolve any way it chooses but one thing will always be the same – goals win matches. If you’ve got a player who can score goals you won’t go far wrong. Whether it’s young Arma at one end of the spectrum or Jimmy Greaves at the other end, goalscorers are always what matters. Lineker – or Greaves for that matter – would be welcome in any side today. Goalscoring is a knack you either have or haven’t got.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:08 PM
Comment #32My point is that a strikers job is to score goals, if he has a poor game but gets the winner he’s done his job.
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:09 PM
Comment #33Bobby…….. That’s very true but the service to the striker or the strategy to get him in a goal scoring position with the ball has become a lot more complex. Also defences are much harder to penetrate these days.
WWSBRD
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:10 PM
Comment #34Bobby
I hear Armstrong has been free scoring for England recently u might just prove me wrong on him come January haha am warming to the idea of bringing him back to cover Gayle
Jail for Ashley
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:12 PM
Comment #35How many chances did Mitro miss?
welshgeordie9
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:16 PM
Comment #36Never heard of this player, next.
bettyswallocks
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:16 PM
Comment #37The percentages of scoring a goal with a high cross into the box are much lower than a quick accurate pass along the ground. Most top teams prefer to retain possession and wait for the right opening than cross it high and have it headed away by big centre backs.
Jail for Ashley
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:18 PM
Comment #38Armstrong needs to stay where he is, when we get promotion he needs to join a Norwich, Villa, Derby etc who are very serious about being promoted and becoming their main man. Rafa gave a very good reason why he thought he needed to go out on loan this season, it was because we need to win every game and it was too much to ask from him. He will have a full season of Championship football behind him. If a top Championship club doesn’t want him as a regular starter I don’t know how he can be expected to do a job for us in the PL.
welshgeordie9
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:19 PM
Comment #39We should get another forward in January, there’s a good one playing in the premier league but i can’t think of his name.
WWSBRD
Nov 13, 2016 at 3:19 PM
Comment #40Jail
Not many but he was barely ever in the box when Serbia were attacking so they struggled to give him any
Tbf was a crap game so hard to judge but Serbia were on top more often than not and didn’t look threatening in the final 3rd