Newcastle United midfielder now being compared to Ballon d'Or winner by senior club official

Newcastle United have a few top-class players amongst their ranks these days since the early days of the takeover when the club had money to spend.

Indeed, the club now has three players who have all been mentioned in rumours as being worth around £100 million. Those being Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak.

However, the player who a senior figure at the club has compared to recent Ballon d'Or winner, Rodri, is one that came through the ranks at the club.

It's a widely held belief that Newcastle's academy is way behind that of their peers, although work is continuously ongoing in an effort to improve things and play catch up.

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Lewis Miley is in contention to start for Newcastle against Chelsea tonight

All that is not to say that Newcastle's academy hasn't produced some good players of late, but there is one that is catching more attention than most and that is Lewis Miley.

The young midfielder was praised relentlessly last season as he became a regular feature in Eddie Howe's starting lineups during an injury-ravaged campaign.

Unfortunately, towards the end of the season, Miley succumbed to that injury curse and is yet to play for Newcastle since. Although it's expected he will feature in tonight's Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea at 7:45pm at St James' Park.

Lewis Miley has that footballing brain that means he doesn't need pace so much

It'll be a welcome sight for Newcastle fans who have taken a shine to the youngster, but it's not just fans who see his potential, an unnamed senior figure at Newcastle has spoken to The Athletic about Miley and has likened him to Manchester City's Ballon d'Or winning midfielder.

“This is absolutely not meant to be a direct comparison and it wouldn’t be fair, but there is a touch of Rodri in that link between intelligence and technique. Rodri isn’t blessed with incredible physical capacity, but he doesn’t need it because he’s got those two key qualities. Lewis has that, too. He’s got a long way to go, but he can be whatever he wants.”

I have heard people claim that Miley's lack of pace will be his undoing and what will prevent him from becoming one of the greats, but as that club source rightly says, there are top, top players who aren't blessed with pace or strength, but because they have a good footballing brain and can read the game, they don't need it, and that's how Miley can shine.

After seven months out injured, though, it's currently about managing his workload while getting him back to his top level. Hopefully starting tonight.