Lewis Miley has been around the first team for a few years now, but this feels like a huge season in his development.
It is his last as a teenager and there is the opportunity for him in the midfield. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are the undoubted first choice trio. However, there isn’t a clear next in line.
Joe Willock has been a good player for the club and there is no doubting his qualities, but we haven’t seen them consistently over the last two seasons. It seems clear that injuries have taken their toll on the former Arsenal man and he is still rebuilding confidence in his body. Sean Longstaff has left for Leeds and he was previously a reliable option for Eddie Howe.
This season, we are competing across four competitions and there will be plenty of games. Squad rotation will be important and Miley could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. There were rumours on social media that he was pushing for assurances over his playing time due to interest elsewhere. It seems clear that he will get a lot more time on the field in the coming season, especially now fellow Geordie Longstaff has departed.
During our previous Champions League campaign, Miley burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old. He played over 1500 minutes across all competitions, including key Champions League matches. It was a baptism of fire and he impressed during this period.
Therefore, it was somewhat surprising that he didn’t kick on last season. An early injury disrupted his preparations, but he only played 304 minutes in the Premier League. Only one of his 14 appearances came as a starter. This came in the home game against Nottingham Forest and he scored in the game.
Perhaps that game should have kickstarted his season, but it didn’t. Taking that into consideration, it is understandable why the player was keen for more assurances.
Physically, Miley has always had the frame to compete in senior football. However, there have been doubts about his athleticism. He doesn’t have the yard of pace needed in the Premier League yet, but that is something that will come as he develops into his frame.
On the ball, the young midfielder has a technical level that previous academy graduate Longstaff didn’t possess. Miley is comfortable taking the ball in tight spaces and taking the positive option. He has looked comfortable at the very highest level, but he is certainly rough around the edges.
In Howe, we have the perfect coach to coax every inch of Miley’s potential out of him. Hopefully, the lack of game time last season was planned. There was no need to push too much football onto the midfielder, especially as he was overused in the 2023/24 season.
However, that shouldn’t have been at odds with his own development as a player. Howe would have had the opportunity to work with him on the training ground. This season could see Miley take the next step and consolidate his position in the squad.
The decision to sell Longstaff and the lack of links to central midfield signings indicates that Howe is happy with the development of Miley. It can be argued that he will be the first replacement in midfield and he needs to grab that opportunity with both hands. Joelinton has become more and more injury prone, missing 27 league games over the past two seasons, so we need players in the squad that can step up to fill that void should he miss games.
Miley will hope to be that player. We know that he has the mentality and technical ability to compete at the highest level. Next, we need to see the consistency and continued development. If that happens, we have a potential England international on our hands.