Newcastle’s midfield has taken a hit following Sandro Tonali’s switch to Tottenham, a transfer that could rise to £100m.
To bolster the squad, teenagers Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba have joined from Ajax and Monaco. Bamba, whose move was confirmed on Friday, was not ready to feature at the weekend, but Steur completed the full 90 minutes.
“He played really well today,” said Eddie Howe. “He can be really pleased with his performance and first showing in Newcastle colours.”
It’s unusual for Ajax to let an academy product depart at 18, especially for a fee that could reach £23m. But Newcastle are prepared to make calculated bets on young talent before prices surge.
Steur’s potential is clear. Willem Weijs, who coached him at Jong Ajax, called him “one of the highest-rated” players in the academy. Against National League side Gateshead, he showed flashes of technique, calmness and vision, though he will need time to adjust to the Premier League’s pace and physicality.
“He’s outstanding in his first touches and creating options when playing a possession game,” Weijs said. “He’s good at scanning; really comfortable on the ball; really good in tight spaces. He’s a typical Dutch-type midfield player, but he should focus on his points to develop as well, which is for sure the defensive part. He should compete better in the duels, spending much more time in the gym. I know he’s working on that, but he can improve and he has to improve.”
This summer, Newcastle have shifted towards recruiting under-20 players from continental Europe. Steur, Bamba and fellow arrivals Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure will need time and patience.
That helps explain why Howe is so keen to keep Bruno Guimaraes, especially after the exits of Isak, Tonali and Anthony Gordon over the past year.
“We all need to be very supportive to the players that have come in,” Howe added. “I don’t think we can put too much pressure on them. It’s part of my job to try and take the pressure off them and allow them to develop and to enjoy their time here.”