The 21-year-old is tipped for a bright future at Newcastle United.
When a young player is farmed out on loan, it can often feel as if they’re just being prepared for a career in the lower leagues rather than being allowed an opportunity to prove that they are capable of making the step up. Yes Chelsea, that is aimed at you.
However, according to Bradford City loanee Alex Gilliead, parent club Newcastle United are keeping a keen eye on his progress with a number of coaches watching on from the terraces as the winger started his second game for The Bantams in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with MK Dons, The Chronicle reports.
“The [coaches] have come down and watched a couple of games,” the 21-year-old, who impressed on loan at Luton Town in the first half of the season, told The Chronicle.
“I will speak to the Under-23s coach and see what he thinks and I think he reports back to the higher coaches and it goes from there. They [Newcastle] will monitor it and make a decision from that.
“The style suits me here. We want to pass the ball, play out and get forward and attack and excite people. That suits me to a tee and I want to do all of that and show people what I am capable of and be excited what I can do – which is running with the ball. It is all good for me.”
Gilliead is one of 14 Newcastle players currently out on loan with the likes of Ivan Toney and Adam Armstrong also building up experience elsewhere.
However, the Shotley Bridge-born attacker is one of the most exciting players to rise through the ranks at St James’ in many a year and, although his appearances at Bradford have been fleeting so far, he has still displayed the subtle touches and attacking flair that stands him in good stead to be the first local lad since Paul Dummett to make regular appearances in the first team.
And the fact that the coaches are keen to monitor his progress as closely as possible certainly bodes well.
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