In light of Sandro Tonali’s impending suspension, Eddie Howe may consider turning to a promising young talent from the Academy to soften the blow. Thanks to substantial investment from new owners hailing from the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia, who purchased the club for a reported £300 million following the troubled reign of Mike Ashley as chairman, Newcastle United has started to rival the top teams in both league performance and high-profile transfers to St James’ Park.
The acquisition of Sandro Tonali was particularly noteworthy for the Magpies, as they successfully lured him from Milan during the last transfer window. Milan demanded a substantial £55 million transfer fee for the midfielder’s services. Unfortunately, news of a potential ban for Tonali has surfaced due to alleged betting activity on his part. This development has come at a particularly unfortunate time for Eddie Howe’s team, as the 23-year-old had been performing exceptionally well for Newcastle since leaving Serie A.
Sandro Tonali has made a significant impact on the Newcastle fanbase, having made just 11 appearances for Howe’s squad so far. His Premier League debut against Aston Villa was spectacular, where he scored a goal within six minutes, setting the tone for a 5-1 victory for Newcastle.
Furthermore, Tonali displayed his prowess when facing AC Milan in the Champions League group stage, marking a significant return to the elite competition for the Magpies. He played a role in shutting out his former club, and the team’s remarkable 4-1 victory over PSG at home was another highlight.
Genuinely blown away at how accomplished 17-year-old Lewis Miley looks.
There was talk of Eddie Howe wanting Sandro Tonali and another “elite” midfielder.
Turns out he had one (in the making) right in front of him all along. #NUFC
— Jordan Cronin (@jordancronin_) July 27, 2023
Newcastle is now facing the unfortunate reality that Tonali’s career at the club could be jeopardized by the betting scandal. Nevertheless, they might have a hidden gem within their ranks to cushion the blow – Lewis Miley.
Lewis Miley joined the Newcastle United Academy at the tender age of seven and has since emerged as a highly regarded talent for the club’s future. He earned his first-ever start for the senior side in a pre-season friendly against Al-Hilal in 2022, a testament to his development within the youth setup. In total, Miley has accumulated 46 appearances for both the Newcastle United U18s and U21s, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists along the way.
🗣️ "I've dreamt of that since I was a little boy"
Lewis Miley was buzzing to make his Premier League debut for Newcastle on the final day of the season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ySHDHrRHOq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 29, 2023
He has received more first-team opportunities since his initial pre-season outing, making his debut for the senior team at the end of the previous campaign. During this debut, he played 14 minutes against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, impressing by even hitting the crossbar with a speculative effort. Miley expressed his delight at the opportunity, stating that it had been a lifelong dream.
With the prospect of a lengthy ban for Tonali, Eddie Howe may turn to Lewis Miley as a bold and promising option in the midfield. The future looks promising for this homegrown talent, and his emergence could help mitigate the challenges posed by Tonali’s situation.
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