Chris Waddle has backed Newcastle United's teenage star Sean Steur as one of the signings of the season after his excellent start to life on Tyneside.
Steur's absence clearly had an impact last night as the Magpies had gaping holes in midfield with the Dutchman benched by Matthias Jaissle in favour of Nico Gonzalez. But Waddle feels he will soon be back putting in sparkling displays like his all-action performance against Hull City last month.
Waddle backs Steur's early impact
Waddle, speaking to talkSPORT Bet, said: "Listen, it's a long season. He'll have a spell where they might have to pull him out due to his age and manage him, thinking, 'Yeah, you've had a great start, but there will be a little dip in form.'
"That's natural at that age. That may be the time when they have to rest him and take him out a bit. But listen, he's started the season very well, and I'm sure Newcastle are delighted.
"He's already put another £20million on his transfer value if they ever wanted to sell him. People are already talking about him."
Newcastle's transfer policy
Newcastle's policy to buy younger stars from France, Germany and Holland kicked in last summer, and Waddle feels that somebody like Steur can lead the way and show it is a great club to settle in at in the Premier League.
Waddle, who played in France with Marseille during a fantastic career, knows what it is like adapting to a new country and a new league.
The ex-England star said: "It's good for Sean Steur as well because he's a young player. As I say, moving from a different country to the North East is not easy.
"You've got to settle in. I don't know if he came on his own or what his family situation is, or how he's settled in.
"He was probably in a hotel at first, but maybe he's out of it now and found a flat. As I say, it's not easy. For a young lad, sometimes you just hit the ground running.
"Being young, he probably just thought, 'Why not? I've got nothing to lose. I'm just going to go there and have a crack at it.'
"And it looks like that's what he's doing. He's come out of the blocks quick and been very, very good in his performances, very positive."
The Magpies paid Ajax £23million for Steur in the summer and he is deemed as one of the stars of the future for Holland.
