Newcastle’s first team coaching staff are reportedly pleased with the development of Trevan Sanusi and a number of U21 talents, with Sanusi being tipped for big things in the future.
As revealed by The Athletic’s Chris Waugh during a Q&A yesterday, it’s believed the defensive trio of Charlie McArthur, Leo Shahar and Cathal Heffernan have “all impressed” the first team coaching staff.
The three players are just one key part of the ongoing U21 setup at the club, which according to McArthur has an exciting “new buzz to the place” after the recent arrival of Diarmuid O’Carroll as the new Lead Coach.
“Since Diarmuid has come in, it’s brought a new buzz to the place and the boys have all been keen to impress.” said the former Scotland U19 Captain.
Shahar is an England youth international who has impressed at right-back after taking the leap from U18 to U21s football, while Heffernan – a former AC Milan talent – has delivered some commanding displays at centre-back.
Waugh has also said that Trevan Sanusi is “generating the most excitement right now” out of the club’s academy prospects, with the young winger having been fast-tracked into the first-team set-up and training with Eddie Howe’s squad for much of the past six months.
Likened to the enthralling Allan Saint-Maximin, Sanusi’s “unique attacking capabilities” even have Waugh posing the idea of the 17-year-old forcing his way into the senior squad set-up.
“Given he is an inverted left-winger who likes to cut in on his right foot, Sanusi faces a stiff challenge to usurp Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes for that position in the team.”
Waugh continued “Yet, with Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron struggling to nail down a starting place on the right, perhaps Sanusi could gain an opportunity if injuries afflict the first-team squad.”