It feels rather fitting that on the day Bobby Clark - the talent Newcastle United gave away - starts for England U18's against the Netherlands, the Magpies make sure they won't suffer a repeat with their newest prospect Elliot Anderson.
The 19-year-old penned a new long-term Newcastle contract on Wednesday after a breakthrough 12 months both on Tyneside and on loan with Joey Barton's Bristol Rovers. Recent performances suggest Anderson may blossom into the best academy prospect for some time after years of neglect in the youth setup.
Local lad Clark swapped Newcastle for Liverpool at the business end of the Mike Ashley regime and is now on the cusp of Jurgen Klopp's first-team. Dan Ashworth 's appointment will stop similar mistakes in the future - with Newcastle's new sporting director already outlining his commitment to the club's youngsters going forward.
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"Our strategy is not just about who we can buy, it is also about who we have and how we nurture and develop our best young talent," Ashworth said after Anderson's announcement.
"It's crucial for the club and our Academy to provide a pathway for our young players and a belief that if they are good enough, they will get an opportunity to play. Steve Harper with the Academy and Eddie Howe and his staff have been brilliant with Elliot."
Newcastle's new-found wealth has seen them splash out £200m on first-team outlets in just two transfer windows. However, there has been a notable shift in recruitment with young talent now firmly on the agenda.
Alex Murphy, Charlie McArthur, Jude Smith and Jordan Hackett arrived over the summer to bolster Elliott Dickman's U21 side. Newcastle also held an interest in former Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling, who spent a brief period at Chelsea this summer, and tried to poach West Ham's 20-year-old prospect Harrison Ashby on deadline day.
Newcastle U21s are on the brink of elimination from the Papa John's Trophy in the group stages after losing to Barnsley on Tuesday evening. Dickman's side have also lost three of their opening five PL2 matches this term.
The hope is United can strengthen their reserve side going forward and build a pathway to first-team for more youngster such as Anderson to rise to the senior squad. Losing players of Clark's talent are a thing of the past under the new ownership on Tyneside.
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