Newcastle United will return to Premier League action this weekend when they head to the south coast for their clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Given the turbulence of the summer transfer window and the sale of Alexander Isak, Eddie Howe will be fairly satisfied with how his team have responded so far this campaign.
The addition of Nick Woltemade has given supporters hope that the departure of the Swedish striker won’t damage their chances of Champions League qualification and further success.
Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga have also made positive impacts in their respective positions, adding crucial quality both in the right-wing role and in defence.
Despite headlines perpetuating a sense of disaster for Newcastle over the summer, the club have not only added huge talent but also banked crucial funds after struggling with ongoing PSR issues.
The Magpies have faced a very public battle with the strict PSR restrictions, but have managed to toe the line by selling youth prospects at the right price over recent years.
Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson became collateral damage in the club’s effort to balance the books after heavy investment during the first 18 months of the takeover.
Minteh has gone on to become a key component in Brighton’s efficiently organised side, while academy graduate Anderson has gone from strength to strength at Nottingham Forest.
It’s no secret that Howe was deeply frustrated by Anderson’s sale and has often admitted his regret.
Following Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Forest, Howe revealed:
“I’m very respectful of the fact he is at another football club and I would never normally talk about a player in that way, so I won’t change that stance but… yeah… it is very regretful.
“A player from the academy who had given so much, and the club had given so much to, all those years here and how people tried to develop those talents, for him not to be utilised here is a real shame.
“It [his sale] didn’t sit right with me then, doesn’t sit right with me today that we, as a football club, were forced to make a decision that we didn’t want to make.
And a player that had given everything to rise through the ranks here to try to play for Newcastle — that was ended by financial restrictions.”
According to The Mirror, Newcastle’s new sporting director, Ross Wilson, could now be working on a return for Anderson.
Wilson, recently poached from Nottingham Forest, was announced by the Magpies last week.
He was highly regarded for his recruitment of Elanga and Anderson during his time with the Garibaldi Reds.
Should Newcastle return for Elliot Anderson?
There’s no doubt that Anderson has developed into the player Howe always believed he could be, thanks to consistent game time on Trentside.
His talent has earned him multiple England caps after catching the eye of manager Thomas Tuchel, and he’s forming an impressive midfield partnership with Declan Rice – a combination that could see him included in the World Cup squad next year.
The 22-year-old – once dubbed “phenomenal” by Chelsea star Reece James – would undoubtedly be warmly welcomed back home to the North East.
However, Newcastle boast one of the most talked-about midfield trios in the Premier League, with Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali dominating opponents every week.
The dynamic Brazilian duo and Italian playmaker have built an almost unbreakable bond on the pitch, making it difficult for the existing midfield depth to secure regular minutes.
Joe Willock and Lewis Miley are often used from the bench, while new signing Jacob Ramsey is yet to make his mark due to injury issues.
While Anderson could be viewed as a dream long-term successor to Joelinton, it seems highly unlikely that Newcastle would be able to secure his signature in the January transfer window.
The England international is currently one of Forest’s most important players and a non-negotiable starter in midfield, giving him the platform to impress and earn his place on the plane to the USA for the World Cup.
A move in the summer, however, would not be out of the question, though it would likely depend on Forest’s situation at the end of the campaign and whether Newcastle are ready and able to offer him the minutes he deserves.
With that in mind, Anderson’s long-term future will certainly be one to watch for Newcastle supporters, as a return to Tyneside should not be ruled out.
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