LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle United FC (6) arrives for the Premier League match between Everton FC and Newcastle United at Goodison Park on December 07, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Jamaal Lascelles, the captain of Newcastle United, has opened up about how good Lewis Miley, 17, was in the preseason.
Although Miley has surprisingly contributed significantly to Newcastle’s season thus far, the teenager hasn’t really looked out of place in any of the team’s games yet.
Before Newcastle’s trip to Tottenham, Lascelles talked with NUFCTV about what about Miley—who has now started five straight games—has most impressed him.
Miley was “our best player” in the preseason, according to Lascelles.
Though most of the talk around Miley during the summer was about a potential loan move to gain experience, he had clearly impressed during pre-season.
Eddie Howe, though, was adamant that he preferred to keep the midfield player close to the first team because he believed it would help him learn more from his star players.
At this point in his career, few, including Lascelles, anticipated Miley would be receiving this many first-team minutes, but the Newcastle player doesn’t seem to be phased by the pressure at all thus far.
There aren’t many bigger games for a 17-year-old just starting out in football than facing Chelsea, PSG, and then Manchester United. What’s even more amazing is that you managed to pull off three incredible victories.
“He’s been thrown in the deep end,” Lascelles stated in his interview with NUFCTV. He is in the public eye and most likely participated in the three biggest games that we have played.
He was arguably our best player during our preseason trip to America, which is when it all began for me. He’s a terrific boy, good with the ball, tall, and athletic.
“He has a bright future ahead of him and he wants to learn and listen.” He’s handling these games pretty well, in my opinion. Good people surround him to provide support.
Newcastle United vs. Everton FC – Premier League
Despite Everton’s loss on Thursday, Miley was outstanding.
After Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Everton, there were many things to be upset or frustrated about, but Miley’s performance was by no means one of them.
Miley was Newcastle’s best player, particularly in the first half. He displayed all the traits Lascelles had talked about, remaining composed under pressure, winning back possession of the ball, and initiating attacks from midfield.
The only silver lining from this injury crisis has been the emergence of the teenager, though Howe will be eager to get all of his players back as quickly as possible.
Although Sean Longstaff’s comeback may not be too far off, it appears that Howe will once more have to rely on Miley in the midfield as Newcastle travels to Tottenham this afternoon.
