The midfield at Newcastle has been diminished following Sandro Tonali’s exit, with the player moving to Tottenham this month in a transfer that could reach £100m.
Subsequently, young midfielders Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba were brought in from Ajax and Monaco respectively.
The match on Saturday arrived too early for Bamba, whose transfer was confirmed on Friday, but Steur featured for the full 90 minutes.
“He delivered an excellent performance today,” Howe remarked. “He should be very satisfied with his display and his first outing in a Newcastle shirt.”
It is uncommon for an 18-year-old academy product to leave Ajax, and for a fee that could climb to £23m.
Yet Newcastle must embrace calculated gambles on prospects like Steur before their valuations soar beyond the club’s reach.
The Dutch youngster clearly possesses great potential.
Willem Weijs, who coached Steur at Jong Ajax – the club’s second-string outfit – has referred to him as “one of the most highly rated” talents in their academy.
Signs of Steur’s technical ability, composure and vision were evident against National League side Gateshead.
However, he will need time to adjust to the physical demands and intensity of the Premier League.
“His first touches and capacity to create options in a possession-based game are exceptional,” Weijs stated.
“He scans the pitch effectively, looks completely at ease on the ball, and handles tight spaces really well.
“He is a classic Dutch-style midfielder, but he should also concentrate on the areas that need work, particularly the defensive side of his game.
“He must compete more strongly in physical duels and invest considerably more time in the gym. I am aware he is putting in that effort, but he can get better and indeed he has to improve.”
Newcastle have changed their recruitment approach this summer, targeting players based in continental Europe who are 20 years old or younger.
Steur, Bamba and fellow new arrivals Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure will require patience.
This is one of the many reasons why Howe will be desperate to retain Guimaraes, having lost Isak, Tonali and Anthony Gordon over the past year.
“We all need to be very supportive of the players who have joined,” Howe said.
“I don’t believe we should place too much expectation on them. Part of my job is to try to relieve that pressure and let them grow and enjoy their time here.”
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