The promising Newcastle United duo who West Brom could target to save them from relegation
West Brom face a battle to survive in the Championship and may look to use the loan market to try and strengthen
West Brom are experiencing one of their worst seasons of the 21st century; they are 19th in the table, without a win in five league matches, are on their second manager of the season, and are sleepwalking into a relegation dogfight.
It’s a scenario few supporters could have seen coming at the start of the season, with most fans expecting the team to at the very least be in contention for the top six after the disappointment of how they finished last season. However, it’s been a tough watch so far, particularly on the entertainment side of things, with the team scoring just 32 times in 29 matches.
Last season’s top scorer Josh Maja, who has had his battles with injuries, has one goal in 24 Championship appearances, while Aune Heggebo despite showing promise in patches, has managed eight but is without a goal in his eight appearances since a 2-0 win over Sheffield United in early December.
West Brom’s other attacking options haven’t done much better. Daryl Dike is yet to score this season while Karlan Grant, who has mainly played out wide has only managed three.
Why Sean Neave could be a good target for West Brom
The Athletic reported earlier in the window that Newcastle are exploring January loans to secure first-team minutes for youngsters Sean Neave, Leo Shahar, Alfie Harrison and Alex Murphy.
Of those names mentioned Neave is currently the player that’s making the biggest impression at academy level. He boasts a staggering record of 21 goals and seven assists in 37 matches at Under-18 level and an eye-catching 13 goals and four assists in 28 matches at Under-21 level.
Neave is still waiting for his senior professional debut but has been around the Newcastle first time squad for nearly 12 months. He featured on the bench during the Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool and has made the squad for seven Premier League matches this term along with one in the Champions League. He’s capable of playing both as a centre forward and as a creative midfielder and has been earmarked as one to watch.
Last season, Eddie Howe said at a press conference in April: “He’s a goalscorer. In training and practice games, he’ll pop up with a goal, which is a great skill to have. He’s doing very well. He’s very young and I need reminding of that sometimes because he is competing on an even field technically.”
Diarmuid O’Carroll, Newcastle’s under-21s coach, said of him: “He’s essentially skipped out the under-21s, which a lot of players do when they’re destined for good things. In six months Sean’s gone from being an under-18 to competing day in, day out with a world-class striker. It’s unbelievable, really.”
In recent seasons, Newcastle’s academy has made great strides. Bristol Rovers were the first to see the potential of current England international Elliot Anderson during a loan spell while Lewis Miley fast-tracked that whole process to go straight into the first team where he’s remained ever since.
Neave is unlikely to follow suit at this moment, given competition from Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Will Osula barring an injury crisis, but could realistically stake a claim if he enjoys a productive loan spell at a high level.
Harrison could also be one to consider
It’s been nearly two years since Newcastle beat off interest from Celtic to bring Alfie Harrison into their reserve team from Manchester City. Like Neave, the young midfielder hasn’t played a minute of professional first team football, but is also rated highly in the academy.
Harrison is currently the joint second highest assist maker in the Premier League 2, with five from 11 matches this term, while he was also amongst the top five last term with seven in 20 matches.
The 20-year-old, who is capable of playing as a central attacking midfielder and as a winger, is now at the age where he should be making inroads into senior football and is widely regarded as player that could blossom into a real star.
Prior to joining Newcastle, he won the Under-18s Premier League title in 2022/23 with Manchester City and continued that form the following season with eight goals and four assists.
His contract expires in the summer, and he’s also attracting interest from Birmingham City, as per Newcastle Chronicle, but could perhaps get more football at the Hawthorns.
Ultimately, both players aren’t tried and tested at senior level, but could prove shrewd additions on loan in the short term to give the team a boost and provide further competition. They might even unearth a gem in the process.