Newcastle United must consider 'pivotal' player after bombshell Joelinton update
Newcastle United have Joe Willock, Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff to choose from in the absence of Joelinton.
Losing Joelinton for what sounds like for the rest of the season is a massive blow for Newcastle United. Their midfield aggressor is a big game player and there are four biggies left in the race for Champions League qualification.
But when one door closes, at least temporarily, another one opens. While United will miss the Brazilian’s quality, they can’t say their light on quantity with Joe Willock, Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff there as potential replacements.
If there is one thing Harvey Barnes has shown in recent months, it’s that there is merit in taking your opportunity. It’s why last season’s player of the year Anthony Gordon has had to settle for a place on the bench since returning at the beginning of the month.
Anyway, back to the midfield. We know Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are shoe-ins, but who between Willock, Miley and Longstaff should get the nod against Brighton and the other remaining games? Here’s what we think.
Joe Willock the most likely option to replace Joelinton but we want Lewis Miley
Willock replaced Joelinton in the starting XI for last weekend’s 3-0 win against Ipswich Town and given his preference to play on the left-hand side of the midfield three, like Joelinton, will likely retain his place at the Amex Stadium.
In truth, that’s probably the most sensible call or the most like-for-like change Howe can make. But personally, I want to see more of Miley.
Turning 19 today, it was only last season Miley broke into Newcastle’s first-team as a 17-year-old, becoming the club’s youngest-ever Premier League and Champions League appearance holder, as well as earning rave reviews from up and down the country.
However, this campaign has been one of frustration, rather than excitement. A back injury followed by a broken metatarsal ruled the Stanley-born midfielder out for seven months before he returned in October.
With Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton emerging as one of the Premier League’s strongest midfield threes, not many can argue really with Miley’s game time. His record, however, is impressive with two goals in four starts.
When asked about Miley, Howe never hides how much he rates him. “He can be anything he wants to be, the bar is high for him”, Howe said in February. And when it was suggested Miley could exit St James’ Park due to his lack of minutes, Howe provided a sharp response.
“Lewis is absolutely pivotal to our future here,” Howe told NewcastleWorld last week. “From my perspective, he's going absolutely nowhere. We want to build the team with him in it for many, many years. That's my thought process.”
Willock has had runs in the team this season but the fact we’re still talking about who should replace Joelinton suggests he hasn’t always grasped his opportunities. Meanwhile, Longstaff has rarely had a look-in since December.
It’s clear Howe has a lot of faith in young Miley, now is a time to put it into practice.