“I saw it, very obvious”- Jamie Carragher suggests Newcastle may have made a major transfer error this summer which will end in regret
Newcastle United fans were given their first taste of Yankuba Minteh in the Premier League over the weekend, and it was a performance that left many Magpies supporters pondering the one that got away.
The 20-year-old winger made his debut for Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, starting in their dominant 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. Minteh’s impressive display has undoubtedly sparked a sense of ‘what if’ among Newcastle fans, especially given the circumstances surrounding his departure from the club.
Earlier this summer, Newcastle United made the difficult decision to sell Minteh, a move driven by the need to address the club’s Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) situation. Despite never making a first-team appearance for the Magpies, the young winger was sold to Brighton for £33 million. It was a decision that left manager Eddie Howe disappointed, and after Minteh’s eye-catching debut, it’s easy to see why.
Minteh made an immediate impact on his Brighton debut, starting on the right wing and causing endless problems for the Everton defense. His blistering pace and dynamic play down the flank were a constant threat, and he capped off his performance with an assist. Demonstrating his wing wizardry, Minteh outpaced his marker and delivered a perfectly timed cross that Kaoru Mitoma converted at the back post. It was the kind of display that showcased the exact talent and creativity that Newcastle has been seeking on the right wing.
Unfortunately, Minteh’s debut was cut short as he was substituted in first-half stoppage time due to a concussion. Despite only playing 45 minutes, Minteh’s impact was undeniable and caught the attention of many, including former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, named Minteh as his ‘player to watch’ for the 2024/25 Premier League season. He remarked, “I read a lot about him over the summer and towards the end of last season about him coming back to Newcastle. Obviously, they moved him on because of the financial situation. But when I look at what Newcastle have on that right-hand side—Jacob Murphy’s done a brilliant job for the last few years, Almiron I think is a player they were trying to move on to the MLS, so whether he’ll stay or not… But that lad [Minteh], certainly what I saw last season and what he did against Everton at the weekend, I think that’s one that Newcastle are going to really rue in years to come. He was fantastic at Goodison Park and looks the real deal.”
Carragher’s assessment strikes a chord with the reality that Newcastle now faces. Minteh’s electrifying debut serves as an early sign that the Magpies may indeed regret letting the Gambian international leave, even though his departure was a necessity under the circumstances.
Newcastle found themselves in a financial bind, needing to address a £70 million shortfall before the June 30th deadline to comply with PSR. This situation forced the club into making tough choices, and among those was the sale of Minteh and another promising talent, Elliot Anderson. While losing such young talents is regrettable, it was seen as a more acceptable outcome compared to losing established stars like Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, or Alexander Isak.
However, the regret may linger as Newcastle continues to search for a right winger—a role Minteh could have filled perfectly. Instead, the promising youngster was never given the opportunity to showcase his abilities to Eddie Howe and now plies his trade at Brighton. Meanwhile, Newcastle is left scrambling to secure a replacement, all while watching Minteh shine elsewhere.
The frustration for Newcastle is palpable. They seemingly had the upgrade they needed on Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron in Minteh, yet he’s now dazzling for another Premier League club. Carragher’s choice of Minteh as one to watch only adds to the sting for Newcastle supporters who can’t help but wonder what might have been.
Interestingly, Carragher recently defended the PSR when questioned by a Newcastle fan, stating that clubs should face consequences if their recruitment isn’t flawless. Yet, Newcastle’s recruitment has arguably been spot on—the problem lies in the balance between the club’s significant investment and the revenue returning to the coffers.
In the end, Minteh’s departure may go down as one of the more frustrating ‘what if’ moments in Newcastle’s recent history, particularly if the young winger continues to flourish in the Premier League.
