When Matty Longstaff burst onto the scene for Newcastle United against Manchester United back in October 2019, big things were expected of the young Geordie midfielder. However, since then, the now 22-year-old has seen his career on Tyneside stagnate.
While he made 15 appearances in all competitions during the COVID-19 hit 2019/20 campaign, he made just five in the following season for Newcastle. There was plenty of talk last summer about what Newcastle and then boss Steve Bruce were planning to do with the youngster.
Longstaff had talent, but was clearly not part of Bruce's first team plans and was shipped out to Aberdeen on loan. A disappointing spell in Scotland ensued with Longstaff only making five appearances in the Scottish Premiership for the Dons before being recalled by Newcastle in December 2021.
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While Eddie Howe took a look at Longstaff during his first few months on Tyneside, the midfielder was then sent out on loan to League Two side Mansfield Town where he impressed. But the drop in quality from the Premier League to League Two is a steep one. You'd almost expect Longstaff to shine further down the football pyramid.
Now back at Newcastle, Longstaff had been hoping to impress Howe this summer and to get the Magpies boss to give him a chance in his first team plans. However, ChronicleLive understands Longstaff has been told by Howe to train with Newcastle's reserves. With one-year left on the deal he signed in 2020, it could spell the end of his time at Newcastle.
Longstaff's stagnation is emblematic of Newcastle under their previous ownership. Come the end of Mike Ashley's tenure, the football was turgid and the lack of a coherent strategy off the pitch was laid bare for all to see. Alongside brother Sean, Matty Longstaff should have been someone Newcastle were looking to develop.
Had they been able to successfully do so, they could have had a player of real promise on their hands. Instead, his development has stalled after a season where he rarely played following his breakthrough campaign and two spells out on loan. But when it comes to Elliot Anderson, Newcastle are in a much better position to learn from their past Longstaff mistakes.
Anderson is set to train with Newcastle's first team during pre-season. The 19-year-old impressed on loan at Bristol Rovers last term and Howe has said he would give the teenage starlet a chance to shine this summer.
But should he fail to force his way into Howe's plans, Newcastle as a club will make sure there is a strong emphasis upon choosing the right club for Anderson to join on loan. There is a night and day difference between what Newcastle were under Ashley to what they are now.
They have already signed a number of promising youth players this summer, which include 17-year-old Scotland defender Charlie McArthur from Kilmarnock. These additions show a clear desire to improve the quality of their youth team as well as help develop their current prospects, of which Anderson is the crown jewel.
Longstaff's stagnation should serve as a lesson to Newcastle. When it comes to Anderson's development, they must show they have learnt from their past mistakes.
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