Newcastle United have a new wonderkid in their ranks - and he's a local lad to boot. Elliot Anderson spent the beginning of 2022 embarrassing defences and scoring for fun at League Two Bristol Rovers and has spent the summer impressing at much higher level among the Magpies' first-team.
With less than a month to go until the start of the transfer window, Eddie Howe is now pondering whether to send the 19-year-old on loan once more or give him a chance to prove his worth on Tyneside. Speaking after last weekend's pre-season double header, the Newcastle manager admitted he was leaning towards the latter.
Still, the debate will rage on until Howe makes a decision. As such, Chronicle Live 's Newcastle United correspondents have offered their verdicts on whether Anderson should stay beyond the summer or earn first-team minutes elsewhere.
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Aaron Stokes - Newcastle United editor
Local gems have been few and far between for Newcastle United in recent years, much to the dismay of the Geordie faithful. Paul Dummett, the Longstaffs and Andy Carroll are exceptions to the rule but Elliot Anderson could turn out to be a class above those other Newcastle heroes.
At the start of the summer I was championing a loan deal for the teenager, thinking the best thing for him would a decent Championship stint with plenty minutes in the second-tier. However, the manner of Anderson's performances over the summer have forced me to change my mind.
The attacker was the best player on the pitch against Atalanta and didn't look out of place against Benfica or Mainz either. He is thriving right now, looking confident and settled. With Eddie Howe also struggling to get new attacking players through the door, I'd like to see Anderson kept and given game time in the senior squad this season.
Verdict: Keep
Ciaran Kelly - Newcastle United reporter
Elliot Anderson has already done enough in pre-season to earn his place in Newcastle United's squad this season and, crucially, the 19-year-old offers something different. So what I'm about to say probably makes no sense whatsoever.
However, following a productive summer and a brilliant loan spell at Bristol Rovers, Anderson needs minutes as a starter as part of his ongoing development. If Newcastle are to bring in more signings in the final weeks of the window, the youngster may not get the game time he needs at this stage of his career as the Magpies would have even more options from the bench.
Given the interest from a host of Championship clubs, including those who play a style of football that would suit Anderson, starts would not be a problem if he was to test himself in the second-tier for the first time. It would also give Newcastle the chance to reassess the situation in January, but the reality is that Anderson has simply played so well that Eddie Howe may feel he has no choice but to keep him around.
Verdict: Championship loan
Andrew Musgrove - Social media editor and podcast host
Elliot Anderson has impressed so much during pre-season that he is now quite rightly among the conversation as to whether he starts against Nottingham Forest. It's a difficult one with the midfield area being so oversubscribed. I've been impressed with his confidence on and off the ball and his desire to turn and drive.
"He's a clear talent. I'm a big believer that if a player is a good enough then the time to try him out is now - but for that to work, Anderson needs to hit the ground running. Impressing in light-hearted games is different to that of a competitive top flight clash.
If there is a real chance of him getting first team football at Newcastle I would say keep him - but if in reality, he's sitting on the bench getting a few minutes here and there, I fear that will stagnate his development. A loan spell out to a Championship side, at least until January may be the best thing.
Verdict: Championship loan
Chris Knight - Newcastle United writer
Elliot Anderson's immediate future is surely tied into whether Eddie Howe is able to land the frontline reinforcements he has prioritised in this window. If Newcastle sign James Maddison or another attacker of that ilk, a summer loan makes sense.
But as it stands, the academy graduate has a squad role to play at St James' Park which works for both the club and the player. The 19-year-old has proven himself more than capable as a rotation option with his pre-season performances, while his skillset means he could also be valuable as a game-changing substitute.
Newcastle face a condensed schedule due to the winter World Cup, and Anderson strengthens the ranks without requiring a registered Premier League squad spot. Howe has already proven he can significantly improve squad players such as Emil Krafth regardless of game-time guarantees, so a first-team support role until January where a loan move can be revisited works for all parties.
Verdict: Keep if signings aren't made
