Loan Watch: How have Newcastle United's players performed at their temporary clubs?

An analysis of which of Newcastle United's growing contingent of loanees - PLUS new signing Antonio Cordero - have performed well at their current clubs.

Four games to go. In just four more matches, we’ll find out whether Newcastle United’s already historic season ends with even more to celebrate—more than even the most inebriated optimists in The Strawberry would’ve dared dream of, especially after a summer where the club’s leadership and manager looked completely out of sync.

Whatever happens from here—even if Howe’s men fall short of a Champions League spot—the season's success is already etched in history. The club has its first domestic trophy in 70 years (sealed by a second goal that came from an area of the pitch I flagged in my pre-final analysis). There’s even a shiny new entry on the club’s Wikipedia page to prove it.

While we wait to see where we land, you can be sure the club isn’t standing still. Inside the halls of St James’ Park, work is already underway to plan for every eventuality.

They’ll be laying the groundwork for new contract talks with key players, pulling together shortlists to help us handle whatever level of European competition we end up in, and figuring out which young players might break into the first-team squad next season.

And it’s that last bit—Newcastle’s next generation—that we’re diving into, taking a look at the performances of 12 players currently out on loan. Because if we’re going to have any success in Europe, we’ll need more than just 18 fit players and a dream.

Joe White - Midfielder at MK Dons

Let’s start with the player I think is most interesting on this list, Joe White. After making four encouraging cameos for Howe’s injury-hit team last season, White was sent out on loan to MK Dons for the 24/25 season.

So far, things have gone as well as one could hope. White has amassed 2,111 minutes across 33 league appearances for the League 2 strugglers, proving his value across a number of positions.

While it’d be hyperbole to suggest the left-footed midfielder has set the league alight, he has performed well enough in the context of a team currently languishing in 18th to be worth taking a longer look at him when preseason rolls around again.

A look at his performances 🔴 vs. the league average 🔵 shows qualities well suited to Howe’s style. Higher than average Dribble and Carry OBV indicates decent press resistance, he shows up well on possession adjusted pressures, tackles and interceptions, with an eye for a pass (Open Play xG Assisted) too.

While he only has a couple of assists to his name (both inverted crosses), and some work to do on the pace/care of his throughballs, he has a lovely composure to his game and the vision/craft to disguise his passes in behind.

He also contributed with 6 goals this season, while I doubt he could sustain this level of finishing, it’s encouraging to see White taking these chances.

Now I’m not suggesting that White steps in and becomes a first team regular, but with talk of Longstaff potentially leaving for Leeds – and Newcastle’s need for players to fill out a ‘trained at club’ home-grown player quota – White’s loan performances have probably earned him an extended look from Eddie Howe when preseason rolls around.

Harrison Ashby - Full Back at QPR

Another player for whom the Newcastle United coaches have had high hopes is right back Harrison Ashley. When he signed from West Ham, you could see the vision; the young defender had the whiff of Trippier about him, but needed minutes to kick on in his development.

After a so-so loan spell at Swansea last season, where he managed just shy of 10 games worth of 90s, this season’s spell at QPR has been moderately more successful, with the defender playing close to 20 games.

Though it’s worrying to see that for a second season, he’s struggled to nail down a starting spot in the midtable Championship side, Ashby has at least shown some versatility in playing most of his minutes from the left-hand side.

But as much as I admire the player’s ability to cross and pass the ball, any QPR fan will tell you he’s made a few mistakes that have cost the team points this season and he’s reaching the sort of age where he is running out of road to prove that he’s worth a shot Howe’s Premier League squad.

Alex Murphy - Full Back at Bolton Wanderers

Another player who made a few cameos in Newcastle United’s injury-hit 23/24 campaign was Alex Murphy. The young Irish Centre Back/Left Back impressed a few Toon fans with the steadiness of the small sample of minutes he managed last season.

Having joined Bolton Wanderers in League One this January, Murphy has been a regular and put in some Burn-at-full-back performances on the left of Steven Schumacher’s defence.

At just 20, Murphy feels likely to continue his development away from the North East and head out on loan again next season.

Max Thompson - Goalkeeper at Chesterfield

Another solid loan move sorted by Ameobi, whose bad luck with Kuol has maybe given him a bit of dodgy PR about his competence in his role at the club. Playing as no. 2 at Chesterfield, 20-year-old goalkeeper Thompson has started 18 matches this season, giving him invaluable experience of senior football at a pretty young age for a goalkeeper.

While he didn’t play among the best keepers in the league, he certainly hasn’t disgraced himself, and played well enough to secure his next loan move without much hassle. All in all, a solid loan spell that will help the young stopper develop all areas of his game.

Charlie McArthur - Centre Back at Carlisle United

Another 20-year-old who is benefiting from senior minutes following a loan deal agreed in January was Scottish centre back/full back Charlie McArthur. Splitting his minutes fairly evenly between the left side of a back three and left back, McArthur's quality on the ball has been clear but, like Murphy, he feels like another player who needs more time out on loan before he can seriously be considered for the first team squad.

Travis Hernes - Midfielder at Aalborg BK

Getting decent minutes in any top division across Europe is not to be sniffed at for any young player, so Hernes’ move to Aalborg BK is a big opportunity for the young Norwegian midfielder. So far, it’s proven to be a chastening experience for the youngster at the struggling Danish side. His performances haven’t been great, and he was one of three players who had to apologise for nightclubbing after a heavy defeat. Hopefully a solid learning experience for the young man.

Antonio Cordero - Wide Forward at Malaga

Not technically a loanee, however, for all intents and purposes, Cordero’s time at Malaga can be viewed through the same lens as the other entries in this newsletter.

Confirmed by Fabirizo Romano as joining the club this summer, the rumour mill suggests the young forward will head straight out on loan again to continue his development in 25/26. But what was it that made Mitchell and Newcastle’s recruitment team make the move for a young player also coveted by Real Madrid and Barcelona?

Well, first and foremost, whenever a player 18 or under starts getting regular first-team minutes, you can bet your last chip that their name will get flagged on the scouting systems of a raft of clubs from all over the world.

A Spanish U17 and U19 player, last season Cordero bagged 12 goals in 17 games for Malaga’s B team before being promoted to their first team squad in 24/25, where he has shown a decent amount of shot volume and ability to keep the ball in a team with the third-lowest xG in LaLiga 2.

From his spot as a right-footer playing on the left wing, Cordero has some work to do to improve his ability to create a yard of space to shoot or pass and decision making (to be expected for such a young player) in just over 20 games worth of 90s, Cordero has 11 goal contributions.

While his 6 assists so far this season owe more to the finishing of his teammates, it’s nice to see a couple of corners and chances created from the left of the box.

When it comes to his ability to find the back of the net, his numbers are somewhat boosted by a pair of penalties, with a heap of potshots from range. But considering Malaga are in the lower reaches of the table with an anaemic attack, I’m not gonna talk too much shit about a teenager taking the responsibility to get shots away. If he continues doing this in a more dominant attack, we can have a conversation, but for now, we just let ourselves bask in the dream of the player he might become rather than the player he is today. What I will say is that he looks a cut above among his age group at the international level.

Vakhtang Salia - Striker at Dinamo Tbilisi

No Hudl Statsbomb data on Salia, but I have some Wyscout stats to draw some insights from. Across 2,600 league minutes (about 29 games) for Tbilisi, the young forward has registered 7 goals and 3 assists. These are more than interesting numbers for a 17-year-old and certainly worth taking a punt on.

Over the last calendar year, he’s registering about 0.19xG per 90 from and over two shots (2.14) and nearly three touches (2.54) in the box per game. By watching videos of his play, you get a better idea of his qualities. He has a good first touch and intelligent movement, and kind of reminds me of how Ayoze Perez used to find himself in the right positions. His shot technique is good, his decision-making and passing show maturity for his age, but while I love that his short strides enable more opportunities to change direction, I don’t see truly top-end pace here.

You can watch him in the compilation video below. Whenever he plays in blue he’s normally number 7.

Miodrag Pivas - Central Defender at Willan II

I wanted to include him here because there’s hype around a new signing for Newcastle United, but he hasn’t had enough minutes to assess his performances this season.

Using Wyscout data for the second division in Serbia, his defensive metrics are hitting the edges of the radar for Passing (P%), Tackles per opportunity (PAT), Tackle % (T), Interceptions per opportunity (PAI), Aerial Duels per 90 (AD/90), Aerial Duels (AD%), Long passes per 90 (LP/90) and Long Passes % (LP%) only dipping for Fouls per 90 (F/90) which is encouraging.

Generally, I don’t recommend using just stats to chat about centre backs, so be wary of any analysis that relies too heavily on them for this position. So much of what makes a Centre Back great happens away from the action, so you need more video work and traditional scouting. What I will say is that Pivas is a glider who covers ground with an easy stride. He’s calm and confident, and his long-range passing is very encouraging. One to watch when he heads out on loan again.