'I'm delighted for him': Alan Shearer gushes over Elliot Anderson but drops truth Newcastle United fans may not like to hear
Last summer, the Premier League's controversial Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) forced Newcastle United into selling Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest to avoid being hit with a possible points deduction.
Elliot Anderson, and Yankuba Minteh were two players with bright futures ahead of them, but Newcastle were forced to sell both to comply with financial regulations.
Both players have gone on to show that they have what it takes to be successful in the Premier League, with Anderson now a regular feature in Thomas Tuchel's England side.
Anderson has done so well that there's been a lot of talk about Newcastle trying to potentially bring him back to Tyneside. It smacks of the Italian media's desperation to bring Sandro Tonali back home.
Alan Shearer says leaving Newcastle was the best thing for Elliot Anderson
Alan Shearer was singing Anderson's praises on The Rest Is Football podcast after another quality showing for England, but the former Newcastle No. 9 admitted that leaving Newcastle was probably the best thing that could have happened.
“It was the best thing, although it was tough for Newcastle and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for PSR.
“But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn’t going to get in Newcastle’s midfield. You’ve got to give him credit. He wouldn’t be far away now [from getting in Newcastle’s midfield], I agree with that.
“He wouldn’t have been able to do what he has done and is doing at Newcastle. Good for him. I’m delighted for him. He’s gone from being a bit-part player at Newcastle to being one of the main guys at Forest and one of England’s.”
It could prove to be a costly twist of fate for Newcastle
There's no denying there's a solid truth behind what Shearer said. Anderson wasn't getting regular football at Newcastle, and if the entire midfield was fit, he wasn't getting into the starting lineup.
We know Eddie Howe was a big admirer of his, and the plan was definitely to have him make more appearances, but leaving for Nottingham Forest accelerated his development more than it would have had he stayed.
And now, if we want him back, we're likely going to have to pay over £100 million. That's football.
