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Jun 13, 2023 20 tweets 7 min read Read on X
THREAD🧵: Yankuba Minteh - Newcastle United’s New Youngster 🇬🇲

The 18 year-old Gambian has become #NUFC’s first incoming of the 23/24 season, having signed for around €7m. Why have the club chosen Minteh, and why is the Feyenoord loan move such a good one for him? Image
Minteh was signed by Odense Boldklub on a 2-year contract last summer after two trials with the club. He was signed for the U19 side, but within the space of two games for them, the coaching staff felt he was already first-team ready.
After scoring the winner against eventual champions FC Copehagen on debut, he went to to become a regular for OB, playing 17 times this season, and starting in 15 of them.

He racked up an impressive 4 goals and 6 assists across these league games.

Minteh is a strongly left-footed player who’s predominantly played as a right-winger for OB, and looks to be at home on the flank.

He’s incredibly quick with and without the ball, and his profile is typified by his relentlessly positive ball carrying. Image
To sum up Minteh in one word: bold.

He’s fearless with the ball at his feet, and constantly looks to take defenders on. He shifts the ball quickly with his left foot, and his gangly dribbling style often sees him power past his opponents and into space. Image
In deeper areas, he’s able to burst past defenders using raw pace, and when in the final third, he favours jinking inside, and looking for a shot.

He occasionally beats players on their outside too, although this often forces him onto his right foot.

Despite his evident talent with the ball at his feet, he’s still extremely raw. He could learn to protect the ball better when carrying it, and his decision making could definitely improve. His choices of passes, crosses and shots does need work.

Part of this is due to the fact that he dribbles largely with his head down, and so isn’t able to take in his surroundings and pick out the appropriate action when he’s running at full pelt.

The result of all of this is his poor ball retention numbers, and excellent progression numbers.

The talent is undeniably there, and with the right coaching and refinement, I’ve got no doubts that Minteh finds that balance and becomes a more consistent threat.
His ball-striking is decent, and his finishing has generally been fairly impressive for his age.

He could improve his final touch before setting himself to shoot, but there are positive signs. I really liked this finish in particular.

All in all, Minteh is a confident footballer, and I’m sure that bravery would’ve reflected well in the eyes of our recruitment team.

He’s fearless with the ball, in duels, and even defensively. He’s a thoroughly committed player.

He’s had some moments of ill-discipline over the last few months which is part and parcel of being a teenager to an extent.

As long as he gets the guidance he needs, hopefully that’ll be limited in the future, and his potential on the pitch can be reached.
The other interesting element of this deal is Minteh’s loan move to Feyenoord. I’ll be honest - I did not expect him to get such a high-profile move.

They’re the Dutch champions, and are in the Champions League next season (funnily enough, in Pot 1, while #NUFC are in Pot 4). Image
Highly-rated manager Arne Slot is still in charge, and looks likely to stay there, so that’ll be an amazing opportunity for Minteh to learn from a top manager.

The general levels of competitiveness, intensity, and quality can only be beneficial for an 18 year-old. Image
Slot also plays a brand of football that focuses on pressing at the right times. It’s about striking a balance between being willing enough to get bodies high up the pitch, but also not overcommitting - something which will enhance Minteh’s tactical astuteness.
In addition, Slot favours inverted wingers (which Minteh is), relies on wide rotations to create chances, and his side is excellent in transitions.

Again, this is a style which will only benefit the young Gambian.

Minutes are important for Minteh at this stage though - and that isn’t guaranteed at Feyenoord. He’ll have to prove himself, and competition will be intense. With European football however, they’ll have to shuffle their pack, and hopefully that gives him opportunities.
It’s the sort of loan move that doesn’t have too many downsides.

He’s guaranteed to learn from an excellent coach, will be nurtured properly within Feyenoord’s facilities, and could potentially seriously enhance his reputation if the move goes well on the pitch.
An exciting part of this new era for #NUFC is the signings of players like Minteh.

High potential youngsters, who we can loan out, and hopefully they’ll eventually become PL quality players in years to come. For a few more names, check out my thread:

Yankuba Minteh is a raw talent who has made a big impact in a short space of time, at a good level. He’s lightning quick, has technical quality, and hopefully the desire to keep improving.

This move to Feyenoord will hopefully be the start of a successful career at #NUFC.

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More from @nufcsanjay

Jun 11
THREAD🧵: Lloyd Kelly - Newcastle United's New Versatile Defender 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

#NUFC are on the verge signing of Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer following his contract expiry at Bournemouth. Eddie Howe has now signed him for the 2nd time in his career - why does he rate Kelly so highly?Image
Kelly came through the academy of Bristol City, where one season as a regular for them in the Championship aged 19 was enough to convince Eddie Howe and Bournemouth’s scouting team to bring him to the Premier League for £13m. Image
A large part of Kelly’s value is derived from his positional flexibility.

He’s had experience as a left-back, as a centre-back in a back four, and on the left of a back three. For a player to be equally comfortable in both roles is valuable to any squad. Image
Read 22 tweets
Dec 29, 2023
THREAD🧵: Newcastle United’s Crucial January Window 🔎

The January transfer window opens in a matter of days, and it's an opportunity for Eddie Howe to strengthen his side. I've taken a look at my preferred options in key areas for #NUFC.Image
It’s difficult to say exactly what positions we should prioritise this window, and what resources we have to sign those players, but what’s for sure is that we need to add more quality to this squad. That’s how we bridge the gap between us and the big six.
RIGHT WINGER:

The priority position has to be a forward of some kind. For me, that needs to be a left-footer who plays predominantly off the right - and ideally (but not mandatory) someone who can play centrally as well.
Read 28 tweets
Aug 18, 2023
THREAD🧵: Lewis Hall - Newcastle United’s Versatile New Talent 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Eddie Howe has further strengthened his #NUFC squad with the signing of Lewis Hall from Chelsea, on an initial loan with an obligation to buy. With only 9 Premier League appearances, why is Hall rated at £28m? Image
Lewis Hall has only had a brief career in senior football so far, but has deservedly attracted a lot of positive attention.

Having come through the Chelsea academy from the age of 8, Lewis Hall burst onto the first-team scene last season in some style. Image
While Chelsea’s star-studded but misfiring team were struggling in the league, Graham Potter handed a debut to Hall in the EFL Cup at the Etihad, before a Premier League debut at St James. Park.
Read 21 tweets
Jun 23, 2023
THREAD🧵: Sandro Tonali - Newcastle United’s New Midfield Maestro 🇮🇹

#NUFC have gone big in the transfer market again, this time with Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali for £60m. Why is he so highly rated, and why have we moved for him?
Firstly, this is another real statement signing. Much like Bruno Guimarães, and then Alexander Isak, this is a transfer which sends out a signal.

A signal that we’re willing and able to go out and sign some of the top players on the planet.
Sandro Tonali has been a hotly-tipped name in Italian football for many years already - he became a regular in Serie B for Brescia at 17, and hit the ground running at that level. He helped get them promoted the next season, before his first taste of top-flight football at 19.
Read 29 tweets
Jun 8, 2023
THREAD🧵: Newcastle United's 2023/24 Summer Transfer Window 🔎

With transfer season well and truly kicking off, and with #NUFC set to make some important moves, I thought I'd have a closer look at what we need, and who could be most suitable. Image
Having secured Champions League football in the first full season of the new ownership, there’s no doubt that this summer will be one where the hierarchy looks to push #NUFC into a position where that becomes a regularity.
In order to do this, we still need to operate as efficiently as we have so far.

It means finding value in the market - picking up players who not only have quality, but players who can fit seamlessly into Howe’s brand of football, and at prices that don’t see us get ripped off.
Read 27 tweets
May 31, 2023
THREAD🧵: Newcastle United 2022/23: A Season in Review ⏪

This campaign has been an incredible journey, and not many people thought it would end the way it has for #NUFC. Let’s relive it. Image
The summer was one of real optimism following the way we finished the 21/22 season. Especially with a full pre-season under Eddie Howe, and with the squad surely being strengthened, there was a feeling that this Newcastle United side could really start to push on. Image
The transfer window started quickly with the signings of Targett, Pope and Botman, before a quiet period which culminated in the marquee signing of Swedish forward Alexander Isak for £63m. ImageImageImageImage
Read 25 tweets

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