Newcastle winger Yasin Ben El-Mhanni says he expects more from himself despite scoring in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough for Newcastle Under 23s last night.
The 21-year-old had been dubbed the ‘non-league Riyad Mahrez’ after signing from Lewes in the summer, though has struggled for fitness since his arrival with two sports hernias keeping him out of action mid-September.
It was his first appearance at St James’ Park in Peter Beardsley’s side on Monday but EL-Mhanni told the club’s official website that he is expecting more from himself in future matches.
“This is good, but not good enough – I need to do more. This is the first time I’ve been in a professional environment, so I really need to take it seriously and hold on to it, because this is what I’ve been dreaming of all my life.
”Now that I’m here, I really need to take this opportunity with both hands. I need to add goals and assists, and if I can do that, I might have a good future here.”
El-Mhanni has made four appearances for the Under 23s so far with two starts and two substitute appearances. From the sounds of it, he is not simply happy to be wearing the black and white shirt, and is determined to establish himself on Tyneside.
Whether he has what it takes to make it all the way to the first team, only time will tell.
Still, it’s promising to see the youth team developing some burgeoning talents, with it’s path to the first-team usually blocked over the years.
How impressed have you been by the form of the younger Newcastle sides? Let us know below…
