Callum Roberts has been in excellent form for Peter Beardsley’s Newcastle Under-23 side.
Six defeats in seven Premier League matches, 16th place after a rapid start to the 2017-18 campaign and just two points above the relegation zone. The pressure is beginning to increase on the previously considered untouchable Rafa Benitez.
Sunday’s loss to Leicester City summed up Newcastle’s bad luck and recent inability to defend without the presence of captain Jamaal Lascelles. An 86th-minute Ayoze Perez own goal broke the hearts of Toon fans at St. James’ Park.
It remains to be seen if Benitez will be given money to spend in the January transfer window, with a takeover yet to be agreed between current owner Mike Ashley and Amanda Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager must instead look into the depths of his own squad to find a spark that can rejig the Tyneside club into life, and give them the impetus to claw away from the bottom three.
Step forward Toon academy product Callum Roberts, who is beginning to shine in Peter Beardsley’s Under-23 side. Making four Premier League 2 appearances for the second string this season, Roberts has nabbed three goals from out wide.
The 20-year-old could be just what Benitez needs with the likes of Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez and Christian Atsu yet to show any kind of real quality in the Premier League since their promotion from the Championship.
A two-time England Under-20 international, Roberts boasts plenty of speed, a low centre of gravity with or without the ball and will work hard for the cause. Adding to that, of course, his unwavering eye for goal.
Able to play on either flank, Roberts’ confidence and goalscoring form could spark a new lease of life into a beleaguered Newcastle side devoid of enthusiasm and momentum.
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