Newcastle United academy lead coach Robbie Stockdale has set a fresh challenge for 16-year-old midfielder Jayden Kouossu after the teenager scored his first goal at under-21s level in a 2-0 win over Peterborough United on Friday evening.
The Milan-born midfielder, who joined the Magpies from West Bromwich Albion's academy just over two years ago, headed home from a Johnny Emerson cross in the Premier League Cup tie. Kouossu made his under-18s debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers last August and has stepped up to under-21s level this season, featuring against Bradford City and Solihull Moors in the EFL Trophy and National League Cup.
Stockdale's challenge for Kouossu
Stockdale praised the youngster's positioning and urged him to make goalscoring a more regular part of his game as his career develops. He told Chronicle Live: "That's the challenge for Jayden because he's got such a high ceiling. It was really good play between Kyle [Fitzgerald] and Johnny, a really good cross and I suppose the biggest compliment I can give him is that it was headed like a seasoned pro."
He added: "It was such power, great timing, brilliant celebration but he will be really pleased with that. He needs to recognise that can be part of his game as well and not be restricted by sitting behind the ball. It'll take time, he's only just 16 and a little bit and I think he would be that box-to-box midfielder he can be."
Positive week for the under-21s
The win against Peterborough rounded off a positive week for Stockdale's squad after a 3-2 Tyne-Wear derby victory over Sunderland, sealed by a late Vakhtang Salia strike in front of over 5,000 supporters at St James' Park.
Attention now turns to a visit to League Two side Rotherham United as the under-21s look to qualify for the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy for the first time since the 2018/19 season, when they reached the last 16 before losing away to Sunderland's first team.
Professionalism across competitions
Stockdale said the variety of competitions offers valuable opportunities, adding: "I think it's almost the other way around with the challenge. I guess as a player, the stadium games, St James', Bradford City, York City, even the National League Cup, they're games that get you going a bit and you think can I prove myself at that level."
He concluded: "The challenge is then making sure you do it professionally in a game like tonight, which they did. So I think it's easier to get yourself up for games and making sure you maintain that professionalism when you come to play on a Friday night here."
