Newcastle United have completed the signings of exciting teenagers CJ Afumuzor, Lesecond Yeutembip and Leon Mukumbira.
Afumuzor, a midfielder, has arrived from Portsmouth; defender Yeutembip has joined from Charlton Athletic; and Mukumbira, an attacker, has moved from Peterborough United. The trio have all caught the eye at under-15 level.
A move to a full-time training model means Newcastle can recruit such players nationally from the start of this age group, as well as bringing through local talent, after the Magpies were previously limited to signing prospects who were based within an hour-and-a-half of the club’s academy base. Newcastle, as a result, have been able to cast the net and sign Afumuzor, Yeutembip and Mukumbira after already recruiting, among others, Sam Alabi from Oldham Athletic, Michael Mills from Port Vale, Sammy Pinnington from Luton Town and Kacey Wooster from Southend United last year.
Afumuzor, Yeutembip and Mukumbira have all taken to Instagram to announce their moves after the trio posed for official photographs at St James’ Park.
Yeutembip, who spent seven years at Charlton, said he was ‘grateful beyond words for the opportunity’. “Huge thanks to my family, especially my mom, and to all the coaches who’ve supported me along the way,” the youngster wrote. “All praise to God – now it’s time to get to work!”
Mukumbira added: “I’d like to say thanks to everyone for getting me to where I am now. Thanks to my mum and my family, and we just thank God.”
Anthony Gordon was centre of attention on Saturday.
Arguably the best player in black and white and possibly out of both teams.
This despite playing through the middle, rather than his favoured left wing spot.
Bruno sending Anthony Gordon through and winning a penalty when Ederson brought him down.
The former Everton player getting up and showing great quality and composure to earn an equaliser, as he sent the keeper the wrong way.
Before kick-off though, Anthony Gordon admitting he was ‘almost crying’ on the pitch.
The player getting very emotional about the support shown to him by Newcastle United fans.
As well as singing his name, the fans holding aloft tributes to Anthony Gordon, yet another excellent initiative from Wor Flags.
Anthony Gordon gets very emotional about support
The former Everton player getting up and showing great quality and composure to earn an equaliser, as he sent the keeper the wrong way.
Before kick-off though, Anthony Gordon admitting he was ‘almost crying’ on the pitch.
The player getting very emotional about the support shown to him by Newcastle United fans.
As well as singing his name, the fans holding aloft tributes to Anthony Gordon, yet another excellent initiative from Wor Flags.
Gordon No10 Banner East Stand Newcastle
Anthony Gordon speaking to official club media about the Wor Flags display from Newcastle United fans at the Man City match, a special display in honour of the player:
“I don’t think fans will ever quite know what that stuff will mean, in terms of like…
“I have got family in the stadium of course, watching.
“I have got a little son.
“So they are memories that will stay with me forever.
“Yeah, so I don’t think they (Newcastle United fans) quite know, what it meant to me.
“I heard about it yesterday, but until I saw it today, I didn’t know how I would feel.
“I was almost crying on the pitch.
“It was a bit of an adrenaline rush.
“Yeah, [but] it doesn’t surprise me [from the fans] to be honest.”
Gordon getting to his feet and showing great bottle as he coolly sent the keeper the wrong way.
A draw was a fair result but Newcastle United had some really good situations that they failed to take advantage of.
Looking at the individuals in black and white, interesting to get an independent perspective on how this played out.
‘Whoscored ratings use data from every single Premier League match, over 200 raw statistics included in the automated calculation of a player’s rating, weighted according to their influence within the game.
Every event of importance is taken into account, with a positive or negative effect on ratings weighted in relation to its area on the pitch and its outcome.’Six players who started the match received a rating higher than 7.0, three for each team.
Pointing towards how even the match was.
Gvardiol (7.7) getting the very highest MOTM rating, then followed by Man City teammates Grealish (7.6) and Gundogan (7.1).
Whilst the three on the Newcastle United side of things were Gordon (7.4), Bruno (7.4) and Joelinton (7.1).
Though to be honest, I find the ratings overall are very much on the skinny side, as it was a pretty good game.
For NUFC, I though Dan Burn (6.7) was superb against Haaland and deserved far higher. Others as well, I have no idea how the automated ratings gave Tonali only 6.3, as he was excellent.