After another top-class performance there is one big question mark over Lewis Miley

 · November 29 2023, 10:29
After another top-class performance there is one big question mark over Lewis Miley
Richard Lee via Rex
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Newcastle United's 17-year-old sensation Lewis Miley completed 90 minutes in the Champions League last night up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe.

Before the game, TNT Sports pundit Shay Given was speaking about Lewis Miley:

“I’m over here with Newcastle, and some of their staff were asking: ‘are any of your friends coming to the to the game tonight?’

“He replies, ‘no they're all at school!’ So it's mad when you think all his friends are at school and he's playing here in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappe. It’s unbelievable.”

Miley's friends had school, he had to face Kylian Mbappe

His mates were in school and he was about to go toe-to-toe with arguably the best player in world football, and he would make him look bang average.

It could just be the black and white tinted specs, but Lewis Miley is the best young prospect in the English game now that Jude Bellingham has pushed beyond that prospect boundary.

Lewis Miley Kylian Mbappe
Getty Images
Lewis Miley showing Kylian Mbappe how to play football

Miley's calmness on the ball, his reading of the game and the fact that nothing seems to phase him are all signs of a player with ability well beyond his years, and it doesn't for one second look like he's letting any of the plaudits go to his head. He's taking each game as it comes and consistently improving.

So what's the big question mark we have?

Well, the question is now, do Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock or even Sandro Tonali automatically get back in the side ahead of Miley? He plays well alongside Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes, he teamed up brilliantly with Kieran Trippier last night to keep Mbappe quiet. His through ball for Alexander Isak on Saturday was sublime, as was the run that pulled a defender out of the way to give Miguel Almiron space to shoot last night, which led directly to Isak's goal.

Miley for England!

He didn't put a foot wrong all night against one of the best sides in Europe. Why shouldn't he keep his place in the team?

There's also a case to be made for him to be called up for England. Jude Bellingham was given his shot at a young age, so why not Miley? Granted he's not quite at Bellingham's level just yet, but the potential is there, it's just a matter of time. It might be best to wait until Gareth Southgate is gone after the Euros - he'll only play him in goal or something.

We've genuinely not been this excited about a young player since ... well ... ever.

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