Anthony Munda has been training alongside the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali as he looks to take next step
Anthony Munda of Newcastle United controls the ball as Makenzie Bradbury and Wesley Okoduwa of Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 close in
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Newcastle United youngster Anthony Munda believes he his ready for the first loan move of his career after impressing during another season of change within the Magpies Under-21 setup.
Scouts from Championship, League One, League Two and Scottish Premier League clubs were in attendance on Monday night as Munda produced an industrious display to help Robbie Stockdale’s side battle to a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Chronicle Live understands the 19-year-old midfielder was one of the Magpies prospects that caught their eye and has done throughout a season of unquestionable individual improvement.
Although there was believed to have been some interest in a loan move during the January transfer window, Munda remained on Tyneside and gained invaluable experience training alongside the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali with Eddie Howe’s first-team ranks.
The young Geordie could be handed a chance to impress within the senior setup pre-season before making the first loan move of his career during the summer - and that is a path he would like to take to boost his development.
Speaking after Monday night’s draw with Wolves, the midfielder said: “Playing with Champions League players, it’s a good experience. When I go there, it’s tough but I try and express myself and show what I can do.
“I feel like that’s the next step (a loan) I need to take. I’ve played quite a lot of Under-21s football and the step from Under-21s to first-team is quite a big jump but I feel like now I’m in a place where I am ready to do so. Hopefully, next season, we will see what comes.”
The pathway from academy to first team has been widely discussed and debated recently after the likes of Leo Shahar and Sean Neave followed in the footsteps of Lewis Miley by making their senior debuts this season.
It is the latter of that trio that has quickly become the standard-bearer for youngsters throughout Newcastle’s academy setup after he established himself within the first-team squad in recent seasons.
Munda is familiar with Miley’s journey having witnessed his development at first hand throughout their development within the academy - and he believes his fellow midfielder’s progress shows the pathway to the Premier League is there if you can the opportunity when it is presented to you.
He said: “I grew up playing and training with Lewis Miley so seeing him make that jump to the first team is good to see.
“It shows it can be a pathway and there is a way up there. It’s not easy, he’s done well in the situation that he was in. He took his chance really well. It’s good to see.”
Monday’s draw with Wolves means the Magpies youngsters have lost just one of their last seven league games and continue to impress under lead coach Robbie Stockdale. The former Middlesbrough defender stepped into an interim role when Adam Lawrence departed in January and has since landed the position on a permanent basis after coaxing a notable improvement out of his side.
A 3-1 win against a Manchester United side coached by Lawrence on Friday night provided a sign of major progress as Matheos Ferreira, Sean Neave and Munda all found the net against the Red Devils.
Munda praised the impact made by the former Middlesbrough defender in recent months and explained why he believes his side have improved throughout that time.
“I really enjoy playing under Robbie,” he explained. “I feel like he has a good character, he knows how to get the best out of the lads. On the pitch and off the pitch, he knows how to speak to you directly and he’s honest as well so I really like him as a manager.”
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