Sean Longstaff has opened up on the intense battle for a place in Newcastle United's midfield ahead of the 2023/24 season - and admits the emergence of Lewis Miley has spiced things up just as much as the arrival of £55million star Sandro Tonali.
Longstaff put in a very good display against Villarreal on Sunday and was an integral part of the 4-0 win in the Sela Cup. He must now wait to see if he features in Howe's midfield three against Aston Villa on Saturday night with Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tonali, Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley all in contention.
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United's 17-year-old Miley stepped on to the big stage in pre-season and showed exactly what he can do this summer to build on last season's Premier League debut in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea. Howe has already admitted that some players may not even get a place on the bench in the opener against Aston Villa.
Looking ahead to the battle for places, Longstaff said: "Yeah, I’m just as worried about Lewis! But whenever you bring in better players, you get to see where you are.
"Sandro is a full international, and that’s like Bruno and Jo. The chance to play against them in training and with them at the weekend can only improve you. The game certainly gets easier when you play with better players."
Longstaff may have enough credit in the bank from last season to seal his place in the starting line-up against Villa if Eddie Howe opts for continuity from the previous campaign.
Speaking about the battle for places, Longstaff said: "It’s very hard . "Obviously, who’d be the manager trying to pick the starting XI but it was the same case last year, lads playing really well and those who weren’t playing were happy for the ones that did play but also ready to come on and make a difference in the game.
"It will be no different this year. We have a lot of games and all of us have to do as well as we can in them.
"It is more for the excitement of this year and knowing that no matter if it is the first game of the season or whatever, you have a chance to play get in the team. "You just have to be ready when that happens."
The prospect of having three Geordies in midfield in some games in Longstaff, Anderson and Lewis Miley is certainly an exciting one - not least for the club's Academy who have endured criticism down the years for failing to bring through enough local players.
Reflecting on Anderson and Miley's prospects, Longstaff said: "They are unbelievable but I think Elliot has had that loan and a little bit of exposure, more than Lew. When you watch El play, the way he just takes the ball and receives it, the way his body moves is just unbelievable. I think Lew who plays more in my position, honestly he is just unbelievable.
"He came with us to Saudi and I remember thinking he was 16 at the time and unbelievable how good he is. He came back and I remember texting him in the summer saying just make sure you come back fit and ready to go.
"He said “I will do” and I could wax lyrical about him all day. I just think Lew is one of the best I have seen from the Academy in a long time. "It is just a pity he is in my position!"
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