It will be fascinating to see what Newcastle United do with Antonio Cordero this summer.
Cordero is set to become a Newcastle United player this summer, although the move is yet to have been officially confirmed.
It’s been widely reported that Newcastle have signed Cordero from Malaga on a pre-contract, with the 18-year-old winger set to leave the Spanish second tier side.
Barcelona attempted to sign Cordero but Newcastle have seemingly won the race. That has to be seen as a coup, though it’s clearly difficult to judge a player’s suitability for a Premier League team when they have been operating at a much lower level.
Malaga want to sign Cordero on loan for next season but the decision will likely come down to just how highly Eddie Howe and the Newcastle United coaching staff rate the player upon his arrival on Tyneside.
Interestingly, the Newcastle United manager was asked about the potential pathway for young players including Cordero this week.
Photo credit should read Andrea Rosito / GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Photo credit should read Andrea Rosito / GocherImagery/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United ‘pathway’ ahead of Antonio Cordero transfer
Howe was asked if there would be opportunities for young players of his profile in the first-team next season.
He confirmed that there would be and pointed to the likes of Sean Neave and Leo Shahar as examples of young talents who can make the breakthrough.
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“Absolutely,” he said (via The Chronicle).
“The pathway is there for all the players in the various age groups beneath the first-team.
“At the moment, we have Sean Neave and Leo Shahar training regularly with the first team and doing really well. I am really happy with them. So the window is open and we encourage that.”
It’s also worth remembering that Newcastle will play some kind of European football next season, although the exact competition in which they will be competing has not yet been decided. Either way, however, there will be a greater strain on the squad.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Antonio Cordero gives Newcastle United fans a glimpse with key Malaga goal
The winger has scored six goals while registering seven assists in 37 games this season. That’s a promising return from a young player of course but it’s difficult to judge the level in a Premier League context.
Still, there’s huge excitement about him. Ajax are interested in signing Cordero on loan from Newcastle, which gives some kind of indication as to his level of talent.
Games Starts Minutes Played Goals Assists
37 21 1,912 6 7
Antonio Cordero’s stats for Malaga in 2024-25 season
Interestingly, Toon fans will have got a promising glimpse of him earlier this month.
Cordero scored a penalty for Malaga against rivals Granada, a goal that proved to be the winner.
Hopefully, it won’t be too long before Newcastle fans get to see him in action.