Newcastle United Coach Eddie Howe Backs 17-Year-Old Lewis Miley for First-Team Breakthrough
Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe has expressed his confidence in 17-year-old midfield prodigy Lewis Miley, predicting that he will break into the club’s first-team this season. Miley’s composed performance against Chelsea in Atlanta has impressed Howe and the coaching staff, leading them to believe that he is ready for the next level.
Miley, who hails from Stanley, Co Durham, made his senior debut for Newcastle in their final match of last season, becoming the youngest-ever player in the Premier League era. Since then, he has featured in every preseason fixture, showcasing his talent and potential.
Standing tall and displaying grace and composure on the field, Miley held his own alongside Italy international Sandro Tonali in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Mauricio Pochettino’s team at the Mercedes Benz Stadium. This performance has solidified Howe’s decision to reject loan offers from other clubs for Miley, as he believes the young midfielder should continue to train and develop with Newcastle’s first-team.
Howe stated, “The plan has been consistent in my mind. He will stay with us this season. There’s no thought of sending him on loan. For me, he’s too young to be exposed to that at the moment. I think he needs to stay with his family and train with us and learn and develop around the players we have.”
The coach further praised Miley’s progress, saying, “I don’t think he’s surprised me because I’ve seen it for six months, including at the back end of last season, just how well he was developing and how strong he looked in the group. Physically is always the biggest test for someone so young, but you’ve seen him today — he’s a very, very good athlete, he’s strong and a good size, and he looks like he can handle the environment he’s in. The next step is to push him and develop him, and I’m sure he’ll get minutes this year.”
Newcastle United recognizes Miley’s potential, much like another product of their academy, Elliot Anderson. The club has been cautious about exposing Miley too soon, wanting to protect him from any negative effects. However, his performances have shown that he is ready to be involved with the first-team and train alongside experienced players.
Howe emphasized the importance of handling the attention and exposure that comes with success at a young age. He acknowledged that Miley will have many people in his ear, but the coaching staff will guide and educate him to ensure he handles success well.
In conclusion, Eddie Howe’s belief in Lewis Miley’s abilities and potential has led him to predict that the 17-year-old midfielder will break into Newcastle United’s first-team this season. Miley’s performances in preseason and his composed display against Chelsea have showcased his talent and maturity on the field. Newcastle United will nurture Miley’s development within the first-team setup, rejecting loan offers from other clubs. With the guidance of the coaching staff, Miley has the potential to become a key player for Newcastle United in the near future.