Journalist Ross Gregory has been speaking on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel on what the immediate future may look like for Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson.
Anderson has been one of Newcastle’s brightest academy prospects for a few years, and at 19, is already turning out for Scotland U21s and was very impressive during his first loan spell away from the club last season with Bristol Rovers, managing eight goals and five assists as they sealed promotion to League One.
The midfielder was plying his trade under former Newcastle star Joey Barton last campaign and was even likened to Diego Maradona by the manager, and Eddie Howe is reportedly set to give him a good chance to impress.
Gregory has admitted that if Anderson proves himself this pre-season, he’ll get himself in the first-team picture.
He said: “I think he’ll get an opportunity in the early stages of pre-season to stake his claim and show what he’s about, show how much his loan spell at Bristol Rovers has benefited him. And he’s been around the first-team squad before, so I think we know that he’s got something about him and there’s real potential there.
Will Anderson be loaned out?
Yes!
No!
“Again, you just have to trust in somebody like Eddie Howe, who might look and think for Elliot Anderson’s development, it’s best that he goes back out on loan, he goes to a League One or a Championship club, or up into Scotland or wherever it is, that’s the next best stage for his development.
“They might think his best stage for his development actually is being around the first team, being around your Kieran Trippiers and your Ekitikes and your Callum Wilsons, your Brunos.
“That might be the best next stage for his development. If he’s good enough, Elliot Anderson, he will find a way into Newcastle’s first team.”
TIF Thoughts on the future of Anderson…
Newcastle will know that they have a rather talented player on their hands, which has been highlighted by the number of clubs looking to sign him on loan this summer, including the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.
However, if Anderson turns up for pre-season this summer and impresses Howe and his coaching team, they may believe he is ready for the battles in the Premier League – although the manager, Shola Ameobi and Dan Ashworth will know that stagnating Anderson’s growth is not an option given his potential.