Eddie Howe is excited about his midfield options at Newcastle
Sean McCormick
Sean McCormick
Sean McCormick is a football writer covering Newcastle United for ChronicleLive. After starting his career covering North East sport, he has had a spell working as an editor on the Manchester Evening News. He also writes about darts and boxing. He joined us in 2016.
Newcastle United's Joelinton and Joe Willock
Newcastle United's Joelinton and Joe Willock(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Eddie Howe is getting what he has always wanted at Newcastle United - competition for places.
The midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are among the best in the Premier League when they are on song.
But they looked tired in last weekend's defeat to Brighton and with Howe placing a greater emphasis on rotation this season - with Newcastle continuing to compete in four separate competitions - the midfield cannot be exempt from that. So it would have pleased the Magpies boss that when Tonali and Joelinton were rested in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Benfica, Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey performed admirably in their place.
In Miley's case, Newcastle's teenage protégé has had to be more patient for his opportunities after bursting on to the scene at the end of 2023, but he sent a reminder of his ability to play with a calmness that belies his young age.
Ramsey showed he has the technical and physical capabilities to offer a genuine alternative to Joelinton, too, and his impact since joining from Aston Villa in the summer has left Howe seriously impressed.
"I’m really pleased with JJ [Ramsey] because coming to a new club, the last thing you want to do is pick up an injury early on. You want to show qualities and what you can bring to the team.
"He had a period away, worked hard, and has come back now to full fitness. I’ve been impressed. I still feel there’s so much more to come, both physically and technically because I think he’s got outstanding technical qualities.
"He’s a very intelligent player, so I think the best is yet to come. But it’s certainly been a positive impression."
Howe was also quick to mention Joe Willock too as an option he can utilise in midfield, despite his lack of game-time this season. He was also keen to remind people of Joelinton's 'really rare' qualities when talking up the strength in depth he now has at his disposal.
"I don't think you can underestimate the strength of our midfield options," Howe told Chronicle Live. "You forget Joe Willock's qualities, he has been an outstanding player for us historically.
"All those players will bring their own unique qualities to that position. Jacob will bring his own qualities to that position, he is very technical and very intelligent but Joelinton's qualities are really rare and ones that we cherish. Joe can play in any of those positions and he is very flexible which is one of his big strengths.
"But it is that competition for places and it is great to see it in that position hotting up."
With another five games across the next 17 days, Howe will hope that competition for places remains as healthy as it is right now.