‘Tough’ - Newcastle United legend honest as Elliot Anderson linked with Man United
Elliot Anderson has been a revelation for club and country since leaving Newcastle United.
Alan Shearer has highlighted Elliot Anderson’s move to Nottingham Forest as the watershed moment of his career.
Newcastle United reluctantly sold the Whitley Bay native to combat PSR pressures in June 2024. With a Premier League points deduction looming, the Magpies offloaded Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, the club’s top two youth talents.
The steal of the century saw Forest pay around £15million for Anderson, then considered a squad player on Tyneside. He is now one of the top flight’s standout midfielders and has shone for England since making his debut in August.
Alan Shearer on Elliot Anderson
Toon icon Shearer has been blown away by Anderson’s rise and believes leaving Newcastle, ultimately, was the right decision. He told The Rest Is Football podcast: “It was the best thing. Although it was tough for Newcastle and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for PSR.
“But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn’t going to get in Newcastle’s midfield. You’ve got to give him credit. He wouldn’t be far away now (from getting in Newcastle’s midfield), I agree with that.
"He wouldn’t have been able to do what he has done and is doing at Newcastle. Good for him. I’m delighted for him. He’s gone from being a bit-part player at Newcastle to being one of the main guys at Forest and one of England’s.”
Eddie Howe rues Elliot Anderson exit
Ahead of last month’s clash with Nottingham Forest, Eddie Howe regretted needing to cash in on Anderson. He told reporters: "It is very regrettable that a player from the academy who had given so much - and the club had given so much too, the coaching staff, all those years here and how people tried to develop those talents - for him not to be utilised here is a real shame.”
Elliot Anderson on World Cup dream
Thomas Tuchel declared last week that Anderson - now linked with a £100million move to Manchester United - and Declan Rice are “ahead” of others in the midfield pecking order. It is perhaps unsurprising that the 23-year-old has become increasingly excited about next year’s World Cup.
“It’s a big statement,” Anderson said about Tuchel calling him one of the ebay midfielders in the Premier League. “But it shows his confidence in me and I’m happy that I’m impressing him. It’s a long way away, to be fair.
“I’m just focusing on, every time I get out there and put the shirt on, doing well and (trying to) carry this on. It’s a long way away but if that was to happen I’d be buzzing. There’s so much talent across the country and you’ve got to be performing every game.”