Academy. Charlton targeting maximum points ahead of UEFA Youth League trip

Dylan Charlton (UYL v Marseille)
Published
2 hours ago

Dylan Charlton is hopeful Newcastle United Under-19s can record their first UEFA Youth League win of the 2025/26 season following Tuesday's away clash against Marseille [kick-off 1.30pm GMT].

The Toon teenagers face their French counterparts at the Stade Françis Turcan, home of FC Martigues, targeting a victory to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive after four successive losses against FC Barcelona, Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Club.

Charlton, who signed his first professional contract with the Magpies in the summer of 2024, is determined for United's youngsters record a positive result after a narrow 3-2 home loss against ten-man Athletic Club earlier this month.

The 19-year-old left-back told newcastleunited.com: "We need points on the board, especially a win, to try and progress in the competition. There's been plenty of positives from the games we've played which we can take into the next one.

"They've all been tough games but we've battled well despite falling short at the final hurdle in the majority of them. Our game management is improving over the course of the games in this competition.

"I thought we more than competed against Athletic Club and I believed we were better than them, controlling most of the ball when they had ten men but we couldn't break them down and put the ball in the back of the net."

Charlton, who featured in the young Magpies' maiden UEFA Youth League campaign during the 2023/24 campaign, has started all of Newcastle's Group Stage fixtures and relished his involvement in the "best youth competition you can play in".

The Gateshead-born teenager, capable of playing on the left wing as well as full-back, has been able to offer his experience in the tournament after playing in all six of the young Magpies' Youth League matches two seasons ago.

"You're facing some of the biggest clubs in the world so it's a great experience for everyone in the squad," he added. "Being one of the older players in the team, I like to keep some of the younger ones on the right track and give them plenty of encouragement.

"We all enjoy playing in different countries and it's an experience that you don't get very often so it's important to make the most of those opportunities."

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