Newcastle United vs Bournemouth: How Lewis Miley silenced critics

It has been quite a journey.

Miley, whose three brothers are also talented footballers in the North East, previously became the youngest Newcastle player to score and assist a Premier League goal, aged 17.

He also remains the youngest player in Champions League history to set up a goal for an English club following an assist against AC Milan in 2023.

James Huntley came through the ranks with Miley at Newcastle‘s academy, and was on the bench when the midfielder lined up against Paris St-Germain at the Parc des Princes in his breakthrough campaign.

“He was excellent in that game,” he said. “To play without fear in the Champions League against one of the best sides was a massive stepping stone.

“It was his breakout season and it was massive for him to do that at 17.

“But I’ve known Lewis from a young age and he’s never changed. He’s still the same kid. It hasn’t gone to his head at all.”

That is just another reason why Miley serves as an inspiration for those coming through at Newcastle.

The meeting rooms in the club’s academy, which look out on to the first-team training pitches, are named after Miley and Elliot Anderson, the most recent graduates to make their full Premier League debuts.

Although Newcastle reluctantly sold England midfielder Anderson to Nottingham Forest – to avoid a breach of profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in 2024 – his emotional departure has only make the club even more determined to hold on to another crown jewel.

This is a player, like Anderson, who looks destined to play in the middle of the park for many years to come, but his versatility will only have further cemented Howe’s deep trust in him.

“If you gave Lewis a pair of goalkeeping gloves, I don’t think he would even bat an eyelid,” Nugent added. “He would just go in and give it a shot.”