Opinion

A week or so ago, I noticed a flurry of posts on The Mag comments section about young Newcastle United players leaving the club. Along with the usual well wishes for their future careers were a number of accusations that, under Eddie Howe, youth just isn’t given a chance at the club.

Claims that young Newcastle United players are leaving to have their potential realised elsewhere.

I just feel that, under closer examination, the facts simply do not support these claims.

In my view, they have become exaggerated due to the PSR fiasco that saw the departure of two outstanding prospects in Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh. Both are now firmly established as potent weapons for their clubs, Nottingham Forest and Brighton. Indeed, Elliot Anderson is now regarded as an essential component of England’s World Cup squad.

Another player who divided opinion upon his departure was Adam Armstrong. A busy little forward with an eye for goal, “Arma” was well liked by the fan base but fell victim to Rafa’s preference for Premier League experience over youthful promise, as he was starved of transfer funds by the miserly policies of “Kind Mike” Ashley.

As it...