Newcastle United may have a talent on their hands in Jack Young.
Newcastle United Under-23 boss Neil Redfearn has told The Chronicle that he thinks Magpies youngster Jack Young reminds him of Lewis Cook when he was at Leeds United.
Newcastle’s first team lost 3-1 away at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon, and it was the turn of their young players on Monday night.
Newcastle’s Under-23’s took on their counterparts from Norwich City, and ran out 3-2 winners as Rosaire Longelo, Luke Charman and Tom Allan all found the net.
Winger Longelo will be catching the eye, but Redfearn has chosen to highlight a player who wasn’t on the scoresheet – midfielder Young.
Young, 18, has been coming up through the Newcastle ranks, and predominantly plays as a holding midfielder, whilst he also grew up supporting the Magpies, meaning he would love to rise into the first team.
Young started alongside Liberia international Mo Sangare in midfield, and caught the eye enough for Redfearn to rave about his display and progression.
Redfearn feels Young is ‘clever’ and ‘bright’, praising his energy and aggression before comparing him to Lewis Cook, having managed the now-Bournemouth midfielder at Leeds United.
Redfearn thinks Young has similar traits to Cook in terms of his athleticism and ability to win second balls, and given that The Sun claimed last year that Cook is valued at around £30million, Newcastle would no doubt love to have a player like that in their ranks.
“He is a clever little player, and a bright footballer,” said Redfearn. “I thought the two central midfielders were outstanding. Just the energy and aggression really. They played off the front-foot. They have to bottle it and take it to the next game.”
“There’s a lot of traits in him, and I have said to him, that remind me of Lewis Cook at Leeds. He’s got that athleticism too and over four or five yards he gets things quick on second balls then he uses the ball well,” he added.
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