Graham Carr with must-read comments on Elliot Anderson as England plot move for NUFC star
According to The Mail, England are hoping to secure Elliot Anderson from under the nose of Scotland.
The 19-year-old has been in stunning form since completing a loan move to Bristol Rovers in January and could be offered a call-up to the Three Lions' U20 or U21 squad, with England chiefs hoping the Geordie talent will switch allegiances after appearing for Scotland's U21s recently.
In his latest 'exclusive' for The Mail, Craig Hope has also gained the thoughts of former Newcastle United scout Graham Carr, who has also been left mightily impressed by the attacking midfielder.
He watched him in Bristol Rovers' 1-0 win at Northampton over the weekend and believes he witnessed the best player that has emerged from our Academy in a 'long time', feeling adamant he is good enough for Premier League football NOW and should be a part of Eddie Howe's plans next season - not loaned out again.
Here's what he had to say about the Toon talent:
"They will spend millions on new players and a lot of academy lads will get lost in the system now - but not this boy.
"You can go out and sign as many young players as you want, you will be doing well to get any better than Elliot Anderson.
"This loan move looks like it has done him the world of good. He could get Bristol promoted this year. But it’s a waste of time sending him out again.
"He will be bordering on the first-team next season, and he should definitely be part of the squad.
"He is classy. He receives the ball like Peter Beardsley. He kills it and moves it all in one motion. That is a gift.
"He stood out like a sore thumb on Saturday, miles above anyone else. He looks out of place. I got in the car afterwards and started ringing people to talk about him.
"He’s the best young player I have seen in a long time. Newcastle haven’t produced anyone like him, in terms of his technical gifts, probably all the way back to Gazza.
"He plays with a swagger. Every time he got the ball you knew something was going to happen. He always wants to dribble and moves off quickly.
"He knows he’s good, but there’s no harm in that."
The Mail also claim that Eddie Howe will take a close look at the 19-year-old this summer when he returns for pre-season.
Here's what the NUFC boss said about his impressive form in League Two earlier this month:
"I'm so pleased for him. When we came in, we could see he's a player of undoubted quality and I'd heard a lot of good things before working with him.
"He has a great attitude and stayed behind every day to work on certain aspects of his games. He was aware he needed to go out and play. We wanted that for him and are delighted he's doing so well.
"It's not a surprise for me, I think he can play a lot higher than League Two but he has taken his opportunity and we'll have to review him like we will with every player in the summer."
Although a Championship loan move may feel like the next step for Anderson, I am convinced he has what it takes to become our Phil Foden
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if he impresses Howe so much over pre-season that he's part of our Premier League squad next season - not loaned out again for EFL minutes.
