Last summer, Newcastle United signed Yankuba Minteh from Danish side Odense Boldklub and immediately sent him out on loan to Feyenoord to continue his development.
Operating mainly on the right wing, he’s scored four goals and registered three assists from 21 games in all competitions this season. He hasn’t scored a goal in the league since the end of September.
TV Rijnmond journalists Dennis van Eersel and Dennis Kranenburg have discussed the Newcastle owned player in Podcast Feyenoord, relayed by FR12.nl. The pair were critical of the 19-year-old and his teammate, Igor Paixão.
With regards to the Gambia international, Van Eersel was unhappy with his end product, and this is the view also shared by Kranenburg.
“I’ve seen that in him for some time now. He makes an action, looks threatening, but then the cross has to come and it seems as if he closes his eyes,” Kranenburg said.
Newcastle were aware the youngster wasn’t ready to be immediately part of Eddie Howe’s squad this season.
The Tyneside club’s aim was to allow him to develop under Arne Slot’s orders at the Dutch club. Last month, the Feyenoord manager had come in defence of the Magpies man, after he was subjected to criticism.
Van Eersel doesn’t share the same view as Slot and believes Minteh doesn’t deserve a place in the Eredivisie side’s starting lineup.
“I do see the potential in Minteh. We didn’t completely cut him off. He’s still very young and Feyenoord didn’t pick him up for nothing. He’s certainly talented and his work ethic is also good. But at the moment I don’t think he’s good enough for a starting place at Feyenoord,” Van Eersel explained.
Minteh would have to turn things around quickly, to improve his chances of being part of the Newcastle squad next season.
