First goal, new role and Hurzeler praise - how Yankuba Minteh has started at Brighton
Yankubah Minteh looked like the answer to Newcastle United's right-winger conundrum having excelled on loan with Eredivisie side Feyenoord last season. The youngster gained valuable first-team football and Champions League experience across the North Sea.
The Gambian international, who looked set to challenge Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy, had to be sold so that the Magpies could pass the Premier League's PSR regulations. It was a transfer that irked some supporters, given Dan Ashworth's proven track record at finding hidden young gems.
By that point, the former Newcastle sporting director had joined Manchester United after a period of gardening leave and there was no guarantee that Minteh would be able to usurp the two senior professionals standing in his way. But that's all part of the fun, right?
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It's perhaps indicative that Minteh joined Brighton - the very transfer model that many Premier League clubs are aspiring to have. But how is the former Magpies getting on at the Amex this season?
Chronicle Live has taken a closer look at how the youngster has fared so far this season.
What Brighton staff have said:
After signing the young forward, Seagull technical director David Weir said: "Yankuba is a young talent that has attracted a lot of interest, so we're delighted to welcome him to the club. He is an exciting attacking player with incredible speed.
"He had a very impressive campaign with Feyenoord, gaining experience in both the Champions League and Europa League. Now we will give him the time and support he needs to ensure that he settles in."
Minteh wasted no time in hitting the ground running at Brighton after a string of impressive performances in pre-season, which saw Fabian Hurzeler label the youngster a role model.
“Let's wait for the Premier League to start.” Hurzeler said ahead of the new campaign. “I have a clear motto. When you always give 100 percent in training, you are counter pressing and always trying to improve every day, then you will perform like this in matches. He's a role model for that. I hope he can show the same performance in the Premier League.
Minteh started the campaign for he Seagulls. but had dropped out of the side in recent weeks. He forced his way back into the starting XI for the comeback win over Spurs, scoring against Ange Postecoglou's side.
Speaking of Minteh and his attacking co-stars after the game, Hurzeler said: “All four offensive players had a great performance. I am not judging them by scoring goals or making assists, I am judging them by how they work against the ball and how hard they work when they lose the ball. In the first half, it wasn’t good enough from all of them. In the second half, they showed, like the whole team, a good reaction.”
His stats at Brighton so far this season:
8 appearances. (7 in the Premier League)
One goal. ( vs Tottenham)
One assist. (vs Everton)
How he compares to Newcastle's wingers:
Using stats from fbref, it's possible to compare Minteh to Newcastle's right-wing options; Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron over the past 12 months and it makes for interesting reading.
Murphy has a better goal contribution ration than his Newcastle teammate, so it's best to start there given the Magpies need more from that area of the pitch.
The stats above make for interesting reading. Minteh outperforms Murphy in a number of areas, including his non-penalty xG, non-penalty goals, progressive carries, progressive passes received, successful take-ons and aerial duels won. Tha Gambian is direct and efficient in front of goal.
The Newcastle winger has more involvement in the game, in terms of passes attempted and shot creating actions - more of a creator than Minteh, who is more of a finisher.
We see two players who are more alike when it comes to comparing him with Almiron - a more defensive winger by trade - but Minteh's stats again hint at a better performance.
Newcastle's high press is often triggered by Almiron, hence his performance in terms of blocks, tackles and interceptions, but that's similar to Minteh. Again, we see the Brighton winger excel in terms of his output in the final third.
The youngster also has a much higher expected assisted goals, actual assists and is better in his non-penalty xG, non-penalty goals, progressive carries, progressive passes received, successful take-ons and aerial duels won. It's clear why Brighton wanted to sign the youngster this summer.
What Eddie Howe said:
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe did not hide his disappointment when it came to talking about Minteh and Elliot Anderson. He told Radio Newcastle: "PSR was tight, it was very late. Very sad to lose Yankuba Minteh and Elliot, two outstanding young players.
"I would loved to have kept them, two outstanding players, really disappointed to lose them both but I think we were backed into a corner. We were in a very difficult position."