Some young players immediately catch the eye, not just through spectacular moments or headline-making statistics, but through the way they carry themselves on the pitch.
Sean Steur is beginning to look like one of those players. It may still be early days, but the 18-year-old has already shown composure and maturity that suggests Newcastle could have a very special talent in their ranks.
Against Liverpool on the opening weekend, he certainly didn’t look out of place. Facing a midfield of Florian Wirtz, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai, this could have been an occasion where an 18-year-old might have just tried to survive. Instead, Steur played his own game.
He was impressive throughout pre-season, but this felt like another level. And credit has to go to Mattias Jaissle for trusting him from the start. The decision to also put faith in Lewis Miley underlines a manager clearly willing to give talented young players their opportunity.
Steur-ing in the right direction
Steur is an Ajax product through and through, and something about his vision and belief on the ball brings back memories of the midfield philosophy Johan Cruyff helped shape during his time as Barcelona manager. He’s always looking forward and eager to receive the ball wherever he is on the pitch.
Newcastle’s midfield future suddenly looks fascinating. New signing Nico Gonzalez appears set to provide the holding presence, with either Steur or Miley alongside him and a more advanced number ten ahead.
Of course, there is also the small matter of what Newcastle have lost. Replacing the influence of Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali was never going to be straightforward, and perhaps it’s too early to suggest anyone has truly filled that void. But Steur’s emergence has certainly softened the blow.
The only problem? Newcastle may eventually have to make difficult decisions between two outstanding young talents in Steur and Miley.
For now, though, enjoy Sean Steur. Because Newcastle might have something very special on their hands, and keeping hold of him for the foreseeable future could be critical.