TOM COLLOMOSSE: Once compared to Diego Maradona, Elliot Anderson is the local boy hoping to break through in mega-rich Newcastle…at Nottingham Forest, he showed why he can follow the path laid out by Shearer, Beardsley and Carrick
- Elliot Anderson had a huge impact in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest
- The youngster came off the bench to score, before the VAR annulled it for offside
- The 20-year-old has brilliant potential and has been compared to Maradona
For a club with seemingly limitless wealth, it’s extremely refreshing to see Newcastle turn to a local lad who has been with the club since he was eight.
Elliot Anderson’s potential is no secret – even Joey Barton compared him to Diego Maradona during a loan spell at Bristol Rovers last season – but during Friday’s win at Nottingham Forest there were tantalizing signs that he may deliver.
After coming on for Allan Saint-Maximin in the second half, Anderson was a constant threat. He scared the defenders with his pace and saw a superb volley from Keylor Navas bring down.
It was unfortunate that a good header was ruled out for a marginal VAR call against Sean Longstaff, meaning the 20-year-old is still waiting for his first Premier League goal.
Anderson has struggled with injuries throughout his young career, but if he can put those issues behind him, the future looks bright.
Newcastle star Elliot Anderson thought he had scored his first goal for the club on Friday.
The 20-year-old scored with a jumping header in the second half before VAR ruled it out for offside.
Eddie Howe insisted Anderson ‘rewarded’ the faith shown him against Forest
“Allan Saint-Maximin was struggling with a tight hamstring so I decided to go with Elliot and he paid me off,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe revealed. He did very well.
“With the quality of our team, it will never be easy to get in. You can play well in youth football and show off outstanding talent, but breaking through in the Premier League is incredibly difficult.”
“We’re a top-tier team with top-tier players at his position, so he’s racing to try and make that breakthrough.” This is the most difficult part of his Newcastle career. Can you consistently take the next step? Certainly no harm was done against Forest.
‘His best position is outside at the moment, but in the future maybe he will play more in the middle. That versatility is huge for us right now.
Anderson picked up a big pay rise when he signed a long-term deal at St James’ Park last September, following an excellent spell at Bristol Rovers when he scored eight times in 21 games to help Barton’s men win promotion to the League One.
Barton has yet to shy away from an outlandish comment or give praise easily, so it’s worth revisiting his assessment of Anderson last March.
He said: ‘I was listening to recordings of [former Liverpool boss] Bill Shankley. He talked a lot about a 19-year-old Diego Maradona and how he stops in the penalty area, exactly like Elliot Anderson does.
Anderson walked away in celebration towards the traveling fans at the City Ground
Bristol Rovers manager and former Magpie Joey Barton praised Anderson.
‘Elliot is a real talent. He excites you. He is a crack player. Great future ahead.
Anderson certainly has the pedigree. He made his first steps with Wallsend Boys Club, which counts Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick among his former players, and has represented both England and Scotland at youth level.
He has been international with the Under-21 of Scotland. If he continues to improve, the time will soon come when he has to make a decision about his international future.
Now that Newcastle is a financial powerhouse, players like Anderson become even more important. The fans love a local hero. If Anderson can continue to build on the screen of he Forest, he could become one.