Newcastle already have “the next young English superstar”

Newcastle United‘s midfield has been the backbone of the Eddie Howe era.

Of course, one of the first tasks the 48-year-old completed when replacing Steve Bruce at the start of the PIF era was to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon for £40m. Joelinton’s rebirth as a raging bull of a midfielder has also paid dividends, and Sandro Tonali, once settled, proved the cherry on the cake.

But Tonali is on his way to Tottenham Hotspur, joining the Londoners in a deal rising to £100m; Spurs surely hope he will lift them above the 17th-place position they have held for two years in the Premier League.

Arsenal also have a vested interest in the Magpies’ captain, but whether they wrestle Guimaraes from St. James’ Park remains to be seen.

In any case, Newcastle have a lot of work to do ahead of the new season, with new midfielders – such as Archie Gray, perhaps – needed.

The latest on Newcastle’s interest in Archie Gray

Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that Gray has the skillset to become Tottenham’s future captain, but he struggled to cement a starting berth under the Italian’s wing last season, and Spurs’ summer spending points toward a bit-part role once again for the 20-year-old.

Gray is a versatile, tenacious and dynamic midfielder, his excellent work-rate and willingness to assume responsibility establishing him as something of a leader during Tottenham’s darkest days last season, under Thomas Frank and then, fleetingly, Igor Tudor.

He’s raw and unpolished, but Gray is also one of the most exciting English prospects out there, and given that he knows adversity like his own shadow after a couple of years down N17, you can see why Howe is so keen.

Gray has been the subject of an initial enquiry from the Tynesiders, who are still hoping to pull off a statement summer signing. The problem is his price tag, with Spurs set to demand a figure in the region of £70m.

Newcastle need to think long and hard about whether he is the man to replace Tonali this summer. The Toon need to enjoy an instant rush, after all.

Should they turn their attention elsewhere, it might be worth remembering that Howe does already have a Gray-esque midfielder at his disposal.

Newcastle already have a bigger talent than Archie Gray

Last season was one of ups and downs for Newcastle, but one of the brighter sparks was undoubtedly Lewis Miley going from strength to strength.

A few years ago, Newcastle had to sell Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest. They will not hope to make that mistake again, with Miley showing signs of high quality, of potential as a leading midfielder on Tyneside.

Like Gray, Miley is still waiting to cement himself as a mainstay in the Premier League, but he’s only 20 years old (like Gray), and has come on leaps and bounds over the past two seasons.

During one emphatic performance against Chelsea, Miley stepped in at right-back, played the role with consummate ability, leading reporter Andy Sixsmith to say that he “looked like he’s played there all his career“.

That’s just one illustration of his quality. Miley is already more rounded and more effective than Gray, whose integration at Newcastle could go any number of ways. Is it really worth the risk when Miley is ready to step up in Tonali’s absence.

That’s not to say that a midfielder shouldn’t be added to the fold, but surely one with more experience than Gray.

Pundit Pat Nevin has already said it: “Miley looks like the next young English superstar to make a breakthrough.”

Miley has shown that he is capable of making developments, both athletically and physically. He has what it takes to become a superstar, and it does beg thw question as to whether the £70m-rated Gray would be needed, or whether funds should be allocated elsewhere.