The hidden Toon signing impressing on Tyneside – One to watch at Newcastle United

In this piece I’ll be taking a look at young Newcastle United right-back Leo Shahar, assessing how good he is, what he can improve, and why I believe he has everything to make it pro. I’ve seen less of him than most academy players but every time I watch him, I like what I see.

Many may have been unaware of his arrival, but Shahar was brought in last summer alongside multiple other talents, including 16-year-old Trevan Sanusi. The youth England international joined from Wolves and has recently been away with the Young Lions’ U17 squad.

STRENGTHS:

• Composure with Ball – Shahar is very comfortable in possession and very rarely gives the ball away. His comfortability on the ball is further exemplified by his ability to invert and play more central when his team have settled possession.
• Deliveries – His crossing is very good in the matches I’ve seen so far. Against Bedlington Terriers FC, a game which I attended, he put some outrageous crosses in, one of which was converted by Stanton. He loves to loft chipped balls into the area/back-post.
• Link-up play – Shahar has a very good understanding with his winger, and the connection he has built with Sanusi when he plays on the right is very good. He knows when to make overlapping runs but also when to hold his position and support his winger from behind.
• Frame – He has long legs; great for defending and reach. This naturally means he can make more blocks and interceptions than people with shorter legs, which is obviously a big advantage.

WEAKNESSES:

• Strength – Shahar has only just turned 17, and therefore this is only natural until he fills out. In order to make the next step he will however need to gain muscle in order to be stronger and more efficient in his defensive duels.

I feel it is worth mentioning that he is playing up multiple years due to the pre-takeover talent at the club not being the best. This will accelerate his development hopefully, but also means that physically he will struggle in games (which we saw in a recent hammering to Chelsea U21’s).

He seems like a very mature player when watching him, and his composure as a 17 year-old playing with the U21’s is impressive. I’m not 100 percent sure it was him, however I believe he had a lapse in concentration in the Bedlington Game, which led to the opposition scoring. He switched off on a corner and sliced his clearance straight into the danger area from which Bedlington Terriers scored. As I mentioned, I’m not 100 percent sure it was him as it was difficult to see from where I was, and Newcastle United still haven’t released the highlights so I can’t go and check.

Despite this, from the small amount I’ve seen, I’m a big fan. I back my eye test and some players just look like proper footballers; Shahar is one of them. He has a long way to go of course, but in a couple seasons time I think a loan move could be possible, which would help him physically.

Beyond a loan move and the increased physicality that would come with it, Shahar could become a mature right-back who could play men’s football. Whether it be for Newcastle, or elsewhere, I believe Shahar has all the potential to make it in the pro game.  Newcastle’s future right-back? Only time will tell, but he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.