Top 20 Prospects at Newcastle United - November

Ranking the best prospects for the future of Newcastle United

By Greg Troxell@nufc_greg Nov 10, 2020, 2:42pm GMT

Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - Sky Bet Championship

We have a new Number 1 on the top prospects list! Matty Longstaff made his 10th appearance in NUFCs last match graduating him from Prospect Status!

We also have a new face in the top 20, Bradley Cross!

Remember that the rankings won’t change due to performance until January, unless there is a player being sold, signed, or affected by the following rules.

RULES:

A prospect at Newcastle United is a player who meets ALL of the following criteria:

The player must be under the age of 25
The player must have less than 10 Premier League (Or 10 of any of the other top 4 European Leagues - Spain, France, Germany, Italy) appearances for any club

Some thoughts on how these rankings will play out. This is not an end-all-be-all list. I am trying to project, who is the most promising player in Newcastle United’s system. However, I am not going to rank a 17 year old player with 0 Premier League appearances over Matty Longstaff. On the opposite side of the spectrum, I could definitely rank a younger player with a few 1st team appearances in cups over an older player with 8 Premier League appearances. The list will change, and I will consistently provide updates monthly. Follow me on Twitter @nufc_greg for more frequent updates.

Here are the things I’m looking for:

Age—Not only must the player be young (under 25), but his performance to this point must dominating competition at lower levels.
Statistics—This is important as the player must have displayed some sort of extraordinary talent at some point. Again, relative to age. If Jack Colback gets a hattrick in a U23 match, I don’t care.
Position—I will take a look at scouting reports to an extent. If a defensive midfielder is a great passer and holds things together, I won’t be judging him on goals scored or assists as much as I would judge an attacking midfielder.
Scouting Report/Expert Analysis—I am not nor never have been a Premier League player or a professional Soccer/Football player of any kind. Mainly, because I’m not good enough. Similarly, I do not have the resources or time to scout all of the players who are playing in our academy individually. Maybe one day I will, and if anyone has any connections, get me in touch, and I’d be happy to speak to them. But as of today I’m more fan than expert.
Special Skill Set—If you are a winger with pace,. you are in. If you are a sniper passing the ball 40 yards, or a great set piece taker, or a stonewall reliable defender, you too are in.
Injury History—You are young and in the best shape of your life. If the player can’t stay healthy as an academy player in his teens or early 20s, this does not bode well for his future.
Contribution to the First Team—This is two fold. First, that a player has a path to first team. It does not have to be direct, meaning a one off cup tie appearance. However, if the player is just filling for an injury spot and that’s it, I’m not giving points for that. Second, if the player meets a bunch of my other specifications and is on the cusp of the first team, he will be rewarded.

I will release this list at the start of every month to provide updates on how each player is doing throughout the season. There will not be any ranking changes until January unless a player is sold, we have a new signing or players aging out or playing out. The rankings will be re-evaluated again in January

Also, the more I scout these players, the more info I will gain from them and all of that will be added to this monthly list.

Lastly, comment on this article and let me know your thoughts, and hit me up on twitter with any feedback as well (@nufc_greg). Howay the lads!

20. Dylan Stephenson (Mid/Fwd) - 17

Liverpool v Newcastle United - U18 Premier League

Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

U23s - 3 appearances in PL2

U21s - 2 appearances in EFL Trophy

U18s - 2 appearances in U18 PL

Being 17 years old and playing at the U23s and U21s is not anything to scoff at. Just have to wait on goals and assists from him. He isn’t starting at the U23 level but he is for the U21s in the cup competition. He also appears for the U18s. The club clearly value him, so now its to us for hoping it turns into more on the stat sheet.

19. Dan Langley (GK) - 19

U23s - 4 appearances, 9 goals conceded

Newcastle United v Leeds United: Premier League 2

I was expecting to see more starts for Dan this past month and that what we got. The downside of it is, Dan and company didn’t do that great. He had 3 starts and conceded 7 in the past month which were in hotly contested matches. There is a lot of potential for the 6’5, 19 year old, but its clear there are still growth spots (agility) to improve on.

18. Elias Sorensen (Fwd) - 21

On Loan at Almere City (2nd tier in Netherlands)

4 appearances - 2 goals, 1 assist

Ajax U23 v Almere City - Dutch Keuken Kampioen Divisie

A big month for our Danish Prince. Elias is on a roll now. Almere City is top of the table and they are relying on Elias to be a starting attacking presence. If Elias can continue to deliver its a no brainer that Newcastle sign him long term. The big surprise is that his last two matches where he got the goals and assists, he played as a RW. Something to watch down the stretch.

17. Lewis Cass (Def) - 20

On loan at Hartlepool United (National League)

6 appearances in National League

1 appearance in the FA Cup

Hartlepool United v Altrincham - Vanarama National League

Cass has started every match in the League as a RB for Hartlepool and the Loan FA Cup match which ended in a 2-0 Loss, he started as CB. It’s nice to see him in every match, and as a RB/CB, a successful loan spell would mean that the playing time continues.

16. Adam Wilson (Mid) - 20

U23s - 1 appearances (PL2)

U21s - 1 appearance (EFL Trophy)

Newcastle United v Hull City: Premier League 2

A slow start for Adam. I haven’t heard what is going on as far as injuries or not, but Adam hasn’t been playing and hasn’t even been named to the squad of late.

15. Rosaire Longelo (Mid) - 21

U23s - 3 appearances, 1 assist (PL2)

U21s - 2 appearances (EFL Trophy)

Crewe Alexandra v Newcastle United U21 - EFL Trophy

Longelo had a great start to the season, however he has not been named in the squad of late. Once again, I’m not sure if there is a lingering injury or something else happening but let’s hope for more Rosaire sightings this month.

14. Oisin McEntee (Def) - 19

U23s - 1 appearance (PL2)

Newcastle United v Sunderland: Premier League 2

A quiet start to the season for Oisin as he only has 1 appearance so far. A similar trend is occurring as once again, Oisin, arguably our best defender in the U23s, is not even in the lineup for our U23 matches. Let’s hope there is no virus or injuries going through the academy.

13. Yannick Toure (Fwd) - 20

U23s - 6 appearances , 2 Goals, 1 Assist (PL2)

U21s - 2 appearances (EFL Trophy)

Last month, my ask was for Yannick to start getting on the scoresheet, welllll it happened. 2 goals and an assist in the last 4 games. Yannick can make his name this season, so I’m looking forward to see at least a 10+ goal season for him now that hes off the mark.

12. Jake Turner (GK) - 21

Loan at Morecambe - League Two

League Two - 11 appearances, 21 goals conceded, 2 clean sheet

EFL Cup - 1 appearance, 1 goal conceded

October was a bit of a mixed bag for Morcambe and Jake. The good news is that he seems like the obvious starter for them. As long as he is getting the majority of starts, it will be great for development for Jake,

11. Bradley Cross (Def) - 19

U23s - 4 appearances, 1 goal

Bradley makes his debut as number 12 on the top prospects list! Bradley signed with Schalke U19s from Bidvest Wits Reserves and is now ours. Cross will be mainly used as a Center Back and he already got a goal in their match against Reading. Excited to see what the player has to offer.

10. Joe White (Mid) - 18

Previous Rank: 11

U18s - 2 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist

Joe White had a big match recently. He got the winner for the U18s against Burnley to give the U18s their first victory of the season. Joe has a lot of potential and was even awarded a high potential rating in Fifa 21 as well. As long as Joe White is playing at the U18 level, I expect a lot of goals for him.

9. Niall Brookwell (Mid) - 18

Previous Rank: 10

U23s - 4 appearances, 1 goal (PL2)

U21s - 1 appearance

Niall had a hot start and had a mixed bag since. Some unexplained absences and then in the last match he held down the midfield in what was a crazy match against Leeds. Newcastle was down 3-0 and came back to win 4-3. There were some mistakes but there were plenty of positives to go by so far for Niall.

8. Ludwig Francillette (Def) - 21

Previous Rank: 9

U23s - 6 appearances, 1 goal (PL2)

U21s - 2 appearances

Ludwig is a consistent starter in the backline for NUFC. I expect him to atleast retain that role through January. I think Ludwig is also ready for a cup appearance in the first team. Having the strong roster of CBs already at the club, it will be harder to break in, but Ludwig is a good player and deserves the opportunity. A player to watch for sure.

7. Reagan Thomson (Mid) - 17

Previous Rank: 8

U18s - 6 appearances, 2 goal (U18 PL)

U21s - 1 appearance

U23s - 1 appearance

Another goal to add to the tally for the midfielder from Scotland. He’s a steady presence right now in the midfield. I think he is a player, that if he continues this playing time hes getting in the U18 level, I see him eventually sneaking into the U23s by the end of the year. I believe the hype with this kid.

6. Mo Sangare (Mid) - 21

Previous Rank: 7

Loan at Accrington Stanley - League One

League One - 1 appearance

EFL Cup - 1 appearance

EFL Trophy - 1 appearance

Burton Albion v Accrington Stanley - Carabao Cup First Round

Mo is still recovering from an 8 week injury that was sustained in September.

5. Elliot Anderson (Mid) - 18

Previous Rank: 6

U23s - 4 appearances, 4 goals, 1 assist

U21s - 2 appearances

Elliot is easily having a top 3 season so far if you compared performances fo everyone on this list. He keeps scoring! 4 goals and an assist in 5 League matches. Elliot has gotten noticed by Steve Bruce and will be training with the first team. January will be interesting to see if he gets a loan spell.

4. Tom Allan (Fwd) - 21

Previous Rank: 5

Loan at Accrington Stanley - League One

League One - 4 appearances

Fa Cup - 1 appearance

EFL Cup - 1 appearance

EFL Trophy - 2 appeances

AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Stanley - Sky Bet League 1

It’s been an interesting month at Accrington. There was a Covid-19 outbreak and they havent played in close to a month. In their last two matches, Tom was an unused substitute, so when play does resume for Tom, we’re hoping for some playing time.

3. Kelland Watts (Def) - 21

Previous Rank: 4

Loan at Plymouth Argyle - League One

League One - 10 appearances, 1 goal

EFL Cup - 2 appearances, 1 goal

FA Cup - 1 appearance

Lincoln City v Plymouth Argyle - Sky Bet League One

Kell is really really good. He is an everyday player for Plymouth and got his first League One goal against Northampton Town. Kell has been a force at CB and the Argyle supporters seem to have gotten behind him as well. In their recent FA Cup match, Kell bashed heads but stayed in the match to see the win through. Good chance to watch Kell in the FA Cup

2. Rodrigo Vilca (Mid) - 21

Previous Rank: 3

U23s - 4 appearances

Newcastle U23 v Fulham U23 - Premier League 2

4 appearances in the books for Vilca. He is certainly an exciting player. Loads of pace, a creative attacking mind, great runs off the ball, and sound decision making. The two things he needs to work on is the final ball and his strength. As scouting reports on Rodrigo get bigger, he will need to learn to navigate through that. Excited to see him grow.

1. Freddie Woodman (GK) - 23

Previous Rank: 2

Loan at Swansea City - Championship

Championship - 9 appearances, 5 goals conceded, 3 clean sheets

EFL Cup - 1 appearance, 2 goals conceded

Norwich City v Swansea City - Sky Bet Championship - Carrow Road

Freddie our new number 1! He is proving, once again, to being one of the top 3 GKs in the Championship. There is a real possibility, that Newcastle United have 3 Premier League quality GKs on their roster in Dubravka, Darlow, and Woodman. Freddie has 5 clean sheets already and Swans have the 2nd lowest goals allowed in the League.