Dan Ashworth
Dan Ashworth
You could say that Ashley Cole knows what he is talking about. England's most capped full-back won 16 trophies during his time with Chelsea and Arsenal, including three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and the Champions League.
So it is rather striking, then, that Cole has tipped Tino Livramento to have a 'beautiful future' after working closely with the Newcastle defender in multiple age groups for England.
"He had quite a big fee going to Newcastle," Cole said. "I think he's developing into a top player.
"Getting the opportunity at Newcastle and continuing to play first-team football gave him belief in his own ability. And a manager that's trusted him to play at such a young age."
Cole has witnessed Livramento's development first-hand. Not only was Cole part of the backroom team when Livramento won his first senior cap under interim boss Lee Carsley a few months ago; the coach is now giving the defender 'little nuggets of his experience' at the under-21 Euros.
Some players might have been disappointed not to have the chance to stake a claim for the senior side this month (even if it ultimately proved a blessing after Livramento was not associated with England's poor displays). However, it is rather telling that Livramento has viewed his under-21 call-up as a 'privilege' after never previously having the opportunity to represent his country at an international tournament
This has been a chance for Thomas Tuchel to see Livramento in a 'taking responsibility, knowing that it is on his shoulders', and the 22-year-old has been part of the Young Lions' leadership group alongside James McAtee, Charlie Cresswell and Harvey Elliott.
Livramento is not a shouter, but the defender certainly led by example in England's opening group game after putting in a man of the match display in the 3-1 win against the Czech Republic. All while technically playing out of position at left-back.
Dan Ashworth is among those who have been keeping tabs and the FA's new chief football officer watched Livramento and his team-mates train ahead of taking in England's goalless draw against Slovenia from the stands on Sunday.
You suspect Livramento's development has not come as a surprise to Ashworth who, of course, was Newcastle's sporting director when the Magpies brought Livramento to the club in 2023.
Ashworth, like Eddie Howe and assistant head of recruitment Andy Howe, was a long-time admirer of Livramento's and that universal appreciation was at the heart of Newcastle's persistent pursuit - even though the club already had a quality right-back in Kieran Trippier.
Newcastle had an eye on the future - just as they did with Lewis Hall that same summer - in order to secure long-term successors on both flanks who could end up saving the club even bigger fees in the years to come. The alternative? Potentially missing out.
ChronicleLive previously reported that 'all the big teams' liked Livramento, who has had admirers at Liverpool, Spurs and others, and senior figures at Newcastle privately recognised that they might not even have been able to recruit the defender had he not just recovered from a serious knee injury.
In truth, waiting another year to see how Livramento fared in his first full season back playing at Southampton would have been a bigger risk as the defender's value could have soared further.
That £32m fee has proved money well spent.
Treasure a season to remember
Newcastle United's 2024-25 campaign has to rank as one of the best in living memory. Not only did Eddie Howe's side qualify for the Champions League by securing fifth place in the Premier League, but they ended their long wait for silverware by winning the Carabao Cup
Our special Chronicle end-of-season edition celebrates an incredible campaign for the Magpies, with in-depth analysis, ratings and interviews of a season to remember.
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