The calls for Yankuba Minteh to be given his shot in Newcastle United's first team next season grow louder as the Gambian helps Feyenoord to a 6-0 win over Ajax.
Newcastle's 19-year-old winger, who has yet to even train with the Magpies after signing for Eddie Howe's side last summer, continues to go from strength to strength under Arne Slot's supervision.
Feyenoord are desperate to wring another year out of his current loan deal, but the problem they now face is that they've developed him so well, Eddie Howe is increasingly likely to want to keep him at Newcastle next season.
His antics today will definitely not have hurt his chances of being given a shot in the Premier League next season.
Minteh scored twice and provided an assist as Feyenoord ran Ajax ragged, heaping misery on the Dutch giants as their season continues to fall apart.
Newcastle's latest gem scored either side of the half-time break as his side went on to register 30 attempts at goal to Ajax's one. Minteh's second goal was a thing of beauty, receiving the ball just inside the area, taking a look up and bending the ball beautifully into the top corner beyond the Ajax keeper who knew he was beat the second the ball left Minteh's foot.
That's now 10 goals and four assists in 32 appearances for Minteh in all competitions this season. It's also worth pointing out that of all those appearances, only once has Minteh played a full 90 minutes.
Minteh's amazing development this season could save Newcastle a small fortune this summer with Newcastle desperate for a right winger.
With the injuries to Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman, Eddie Howe will now have to spend more money on fixing his defence, which could come at the cost of making big statement signing to play out on the right, which can only be good news for Minteh.
We doubt he's quite ready to take over as first-choice in that position just yet, but the potential he's showing means we might not have to spend as much as we thought to upgrade from Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
12 | 16 | 31 |
2 |
Manchester City
|
12 | 5 | 23 |
3 |
Chelsea
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
4 |
Arsenal
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
5 |
Brighton
|
12 | 5 | 22 |
6 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
12 | 14 | 19 |
7 |
Nottingham Forest
|
12 | 2 | 19 |
8 |
Aston Villa
|
12 | 0 | 19 |
9 |
Fulham
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
10 |
Newcastle United
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
11 |
Brentford
|
12 | 0 | 17 |
12 |
Manchester United
|
12 | 0 | 16 |
13 |
Bournemouth
|
12 | -1 | 15 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
12 | -4 | 15 |
15 |
Everton
|
12 | -7 | 11 |
16 |
Leicester
|
12 | -8 | 10 |
17 |
Wolves
|
12 | -8 | 9 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
12 | -10 | 9 |
19 |
Crystal Palace
|
12 | -7 | 8 |
20 |
Southampton
|
12 | -15 | 4 |