With the season fast approaching and the usual drab of transfer speculation ongoing, it’s time to look at the youngsters who could have an impact on the upcoming season.
Ayoze Perez, 21, striker
The young Spaniard played 1 full season for Tenerife scoring 16 in 41 appearances, before earning the move to Tyneside and his debut season on Tyneside was expected to be a season in the development squad but, due to the paper thin squad and underperforming strikers, Alan Pardew didn’t have much choice but to throw him in to the deep end. It was a risk at the time, but looking back now it was a risk that paid dividends and he was arguably one of the stand out players of last season and gave the Premier League a glimpse of what he can do and what he could achieve with the likes of Manchester City admiring the youngster when they seen him play, he scored 7 goals in 39 appearances.
This season will be a bit more of a relaxed season for Perez, with less pressure on young shoulders we could see an even more successful season from him and definitely has a big future on Tyneside and could be another plus for Newcastle this season.
Rolando Aarons, 19, winger
Aarons was released by Bristol city without making an appearance for the club, but he was then snapped up by Newcastle.
The winger impressed in a handful of U18 games for the Toon, and was fast-tracked into the U21 side, where he scored five times in 24 games, catching the eye of Alan Pardew and his staff. He was included on the tour of New Zealand where he made some promising displays and looked like “one for the future”.
Acknowledged by Pardew, he gave him his first-team debut against Stoke and began to showcase his ability on the Premier League stage. He went on to make five more senior appearances, scoring twice before succumbing to a hamstring injury. Several other injuries during the course of the season meant Aarons wouldn’t appear again in the 2014/15 campaign, but he managed to do the most important thing – catch out attention.
If Aarons can be kept fit and trains like he did last season, he has the potential to be a regular in the first team and is certainly a player that excites the Geordie faithful in what could be his full breakthrough season.
Adam Armstrong, 18, striker
Armstrong has been touted as the “next big thing”, with the likes of Wayne Rooney giving Armstrong a glowing reference but hasn’t been given much senior game time. He has made 19 appearances and is yet to score, but the majority of his appearances have come from the bench.
He has an incredible scoring record at every other level, including the U21s where he scored 17 times in 25 games. He’s also been prolific representing England U17’s scoring 10 in 11 games and again for the U18’s scoring 6 in 6 games.
Armstrong is expected to go out on loan this season so that he doesn’t stagnate in the U21’s and will gain more senior level experience elsewhere so, although he won’t directly be involved at the club, his development this season will be vital to his future at St James’ Park.
Jamaal Lacselles, 21, centre-half
Newcastle bought Lascelles from Nottingham Forest last season and he was immediately sent back on a season long loan. He is a player with huge potential and has even trained with the senior England team to gain more experience.
Lascelles had spent his career at Nottingham Forest other than a brief loan spell at Stevenage. He played 65 games for Nottingham Forest before he made his move to Newcastle.
This is a big season for the big centre half. A successful season for him will give everyone at the club a lift.
Mehdi Abeid, 22, centre midfielder
Newcastle signed Mehdi Abeid in 2011 on a free transfer. Since joining the club, he has been out on loan twice, but last season Alan Pardew decided to keep him on Tyneside and, though he didn’t start many games, he managed 21 appearances for the club. He was impressive on multiple occasions, which led to people suggesting that he could be an ideal replacement for Tiote should he leave. He will need to impress on a regular basis if he is to stand a chance of being a regular at the club.
Olivier Kemen, 18, centre midfielder
The young Frenchman has the potential to be a first team regular and his quality is there for all to see but his attitude on the training ground isn’t really impressing. His potential hasn’t gone unnoticed with the likes of Liverpool and Spurs interested.
Kemen is yet to play a Premier League game but if Steve McClaren can help change the attitude of the Frenchman then we might finally see what he can do.
Only time will tell if these players have what it takes to be a first team regular for the club but this season could be the deciding factor on their futures and it’s now a fresh start for all of them.
