Newcastle United touched down in Germany with a mixture of confidence and focus as they prepare for their Champions League meeting with Bayer Leverkusen.
The excitement of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby waits just around the corner, but Eddie Howe’s squad know that the job in front of them has to come first. A win in Leverkusen would almost certainly push Newcastle into the Champions League knockout stages with two games left to play, a position that would give the team huge momentum moving into a hectic December.
The victory over Burnley at the weekend helped steady the mood after a mixed run of performances, and the return of Yoane Wissa was a welcome boost.
The £55million summer signing finally made his debut, coming on as a substitute and getting his first minutes in black and white. Howe will hope he becomes a meaningful attacking option as he regains rhythm and sharpness, especially with several key players still unavailable.
Newcastle remain without Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth, who have all been ruled out. There is also little confidence that Sven Botman or Will Osula will be fit in time.
Their absence forces Howe to stay flexible with his selection and rely on the depth of the squad, even though that depth is stretched more than he would like. Adding to that frustration is the limited Champions League squad Newcastle were able to register.
Jamaal Lascelles, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie and Harrison Ashby are all unavailable because they were left out of the List A squad. Newcastle could only name 21 players instead of the full 25 because they did not have enough club-trained players to meet UEFA’s squad requirements.
Because of that, several youngsters have been pulled into the matchday squads to fill the bench. Max Thompson and Alex Murphy have been included throughout the group stage, and 16-year-old Sam Alabi was handed his first call-up for the away game in Marseille.
His presence caught the attention of many supporters, and the young midfielder has been spotted training with the first team again ahead of the Leverkusen clash, suggesting he may travel with the squad.
Alabi is eligible through UEFA’s B List system, which allows clubs to register younger players who have spent two uninterrupted years at the club. He only arrived from Oldham Athletic in the summer of 2023, but because of his age and development pathway, he qualifies and has already impressed the coaching staff with his maturity.
He made his full under-21 debut in an EFL Trophy match against Harrogate Town and has recently captained England at under-17 level, showing just how highly he is regarded.
The teenager has spoken openly about his desire to challenge himself and continue improving. Reflecting on his first start for the under-21s earlier this month, he described it as an important step in his development.
He said he was proud to play the full match against senior opposition and viewed it as another milestone in what has already been an exciting journey.
His confidence has grown steadily throughout the season, especially after his appearance against Mansfield Town, where he nearly scored during the match and then converted his penalty in the shootout. That moment, he said, gave him an extra boost of belief.
Alabi played the Harrogate game without any nerves and felt ready from the first whistle, which speaks to his self-assurance. He admits he is only 16, but he doesn’t see that as a barrier. His view is simple: if he feels good, he plays good.
That attitude has caught the eye of Newcastle’s coaching staff, who appreciate not just his talent but the calmness and determination he shows. Even being around the first-team environment during Champions League preparations will be invaluable experience.
As Newcastle prepare for the match in Germany, the blend of senior players and emerging talent reflects the current state of the squad: stretched, challenged, but still full of ambition.
The injuries are a setback, but the belief within the group remains strong. A positive result against Leverkusen would lift spirits even higher ahead of Sunday’s derby, a match that already carries enormous emotional weight.
For now, the focus stays on the Champions League, and perhaps another small chapter in the rise of Sam Alabi is about to be written.
