Chris Waugh has claimed on Pod on the Tyne to have been left impressed by Elliot Anderson after Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of Austria.
Anderson is said to be wanted by several Championship clubs this summer, however, the youngster has bigger aspirations at 19, claiming that he wishes to stay with Newcastle’s first team squad after featuring in all three of their pre-season friendlies thus far.
The 19-year-old was a second-half substitute against Mainz 05 and appeared to leave a lasting impression on some of the journalists in attendance, including Craig Hope and Waugh, with the latter noticing how much better Anderson looks physically.
Waugh believes that Anderson has been working hard over the last few months to come back to Newcastle in great shape this pre-season.
He explained: “The one player who really is benefiting from the lack of transfer activity and has been given the chance that Eddie Howe told him he would be given during pre-season is Elliot Anderson who I think has really caught the eye of quite a few people.
Will Newcastle finish in the top 10?
Yes!
No!
“He’s shown he’s physically grown in stature as well. I remember he was previously quite a slight individual he’s bulked up and you can see he’s done that in his time at Bristol Rovers in League Two, but also his game has come on a heck of a lot.
“He’s the one bright spark, Howe picked him out against 1860 Munich, I thought we saw flashes again when he came on against Mainz.”
TIF Thoughts on Anderson’s future…
It would be great for both Anderson and the Newcastle fans to see the 19-year-old handed a real chance to impress in the first team – at least during the first half of the campaign as he wouldn’t need to be registered, so wouldn’t take up a squad place and he would likely be given extra time to bed in given he’s a local player as well.
However, if Howe and PIF can manage to bring in some attacking reinforcements, something they’ve struggled to do thus far, then Anderson’s game time could become seriously limited and thus, heading out on loan, at least until after the World Cup, could help benefit his development.