Exciting times as young Newcastle United trio star for England in 4-0 hammering of Colombia | OneFootball

With what they inherited from Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce, the new Newcastle United owners and Eddie Howe had a massive challenge on their hands.

First of all, dealing with the overwhelming and very real threat of relegation. Which of course Eddie Howe did a miraculous job of dealing with, not only saving United from the drop, but also having the third best form of all Premier League clubs across the second half of the 2021/22 season.

Along with that immediate relegation threat, it was also a case of trying to make Newcastle United on the pitch, plus build for the future.

Neither of these things easy after a decade and a half of Mike Ashley refusing to allow any kind of realistic investment in both the first team squad and the Academy set-up.

We all know about the remarkable transformation at first team level that Eddie Howe has overseen these past three years.

However, just as exciting are the foundations that are being laid for the future as well.

Proper investment in the Academy set up, money put into facilities, coaching, scouting, plus of course actually paying transfer fees and compensation to sign very young talent.

Friday in Spain is proof of how this is progressing at NUFC.

It is now common place for Newcastle United to be represented all the way through the England set up, from the first team (Hall, Gordon, Tino…) all the way through the younger age groups.

The England Under 16s are currently playing in a four team tournament in Spain.

On Friday, they faced a highly rated Colombia side.

A 4-0 hammering followed as the young England stars ran riot.

Ryan Kavuma-McQueen of Chelsea scored twice, Leicester’s Jeremy Monga and Wolves’ Jashayde Greenwood with the other goals.

However, man of the match was Sam Alabi.

Sam Alabi signed for Newcastle United in July 2023 from Oldham Athletic, once he turned 14, he doesn’t turn 16 until July 2025.

Even though still only 15, the young midfielder has been starring for the Newcastle United Under 18s this season and has recently been training with the first team squad.

Sam Alabi was excellent at the Pinatar Arena on Friday for the young England side, what an exciting prospect.

Another 15 year old who has been excelling for the Newcastle United Under 18s this season is Michael Mills. He signed for NUFC in August 2023 from Port Vale, aged 14. The young attacking player is highly talented and very quick, he was also very good against Colombia yesterday, an exciting prospect for England and Newcastle United, Michael Mills has now turned 16 (February 2025).

Making it three starters for the England Under 16s, was George Mair. The 15 year old doesn’t turn 16 until September and he was already in the Academy when Eddie Howe and the new NUFC owners came in. Spotted locally (Darlington), George Mair will have undoubtedly benefited from the investment in facilities and coaching at the Newcastle United Academy in recent years and the young goalkeeper looks to have a big future ahead of him, a clean sheet against Colombia adding to his impressive record with England.

Sunday at the Pinatar Arena will see England Under 16s take on Denmark, before the final match of the mini tournament on Wednesday against France.

Eddie Howe and the Newcastle United owners have had to play a massive catch up at every level, since taking charge in October/November 2021. The progress made has been sensational after so many years of zero ambition.

However, the progress in the younger age groups is more hidden, as for the majority of Newcastle United fans it will only be in the years to come when this young talent hopefully makes it through to first team level, where we will all see the benefits of the work that is done now to produce the NUFC first team players of the future.