The midfielder has worked his way into first-team contention under Eddie Howe last season, and could have a bigger role to play this term with Newcastle back in Europe.
Newcastle rising star Elliot Anderson has been compared to Diego Maradona, Gazza and Peter Beardsley during his rapid rise.
But the homegrown midfielder is seeking the biggest endorsement of all this season – Eddie Howe putting his name in the starting XI. Anderson has been the big winner of Newcastle’s summer tour to the USA. Three goals, including two against Brighton on Friday night, has shot him further up the pecking order.
When he was banging in goals as a teenager on loan at Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton made the Maradona link. Ex-Toon chief scout Graham Carr went for Beardsley. Others see a bit of the bulldozing Gazza used to do in his newly strengthened physique.
United may have spent big on midfielders lately including Sandro Tonali, but the youngsters are making their mark. Anderson said after the Brighton game: “It is a huge season for me. I am trying to get on the pitch and trying to keep pushing and have more of an impact than I had last season.
“Why? Because it could go two ways really. If I don’t perform…. I need to perform and cement a place in the squad. We are in the Champions league this season which is huge for the club.
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