It’s all a bit doom and gloom at Newcastle United right now, with a promising start to the season under Matthias Jaissle giving way to concerning performances. Newcastle have lost back-to-back games in the Premier League, but the fans are worried about the bigger picture.
“Newcastle are like a sieve in terms of being so easy to get at and play through,” said former Magpies defender John Anderson. The 66-year-old may have a point, with Jaissle thus far failing to offer the nuance in his tactics and decision-making which could fire the club back into European contention.
Right now, that’s a long way away, and Saturday’s defeat against Aston Villa at St. James’ Park showed exactly how far the Toon are from their expected standards – even after such a disruptive transfer window.
To be fair, selling both Bruno Guimarares and Sandro Tonali in midfield was always going to disrupt Jaissle’s flow. In hindsight, it’s a real shame Elliot Anderson was sold two years ago.
Why Newcastle still regret selling Elliot Anderson
The funny thing about Manchester City’s potentially damning financial situation is that superstars such as Anderson might need to search for pastures new? The process is ongoing, but the Premier League hope to wreak onto the Etihad Stadium a points deduction which would demote them to the Championship.
If that happens, it’s hard to imagine Anderson staying in Manchester after completing a £116m move from Nottingham Forest this summer. Two years he spent at the City Ground, leaving ‘on the cusp of establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in world football‘, as journalist Paul Taylor wrote upon his summer switch.
The irony will not have been lost on Magpies supporters. The fact their homegrown prospect had to be sold was due to financial parameters which Man City have flagrantly ignored for so many years.
For some time now, Anderson has maintained an elite level at the heart of his team, be that Forest or City or the Three Lions. Given that Guimaraes and Tonali have now left St. James’ Park, PIF must rue the day they thought cashing in for pure profit was the best way forward.
|
Elliot Anderson in the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
24/25 |
26/27 |
|
Matches (starts) |
38 (37) |
7 (6) |
|
Goals + Assists |
4 + 4 |
0 + 1 |
|
Touches* |
86.8 |
93.9 |
|
Accurate passes* |
53.6 (86%) |
68.4 (90%) |
|
Big chances created |
9 |
2 |
|
Key passes* |
1.4 |
0.7 |
|
Possession lost* |
17.3 |
11.1 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
1.3 (54%) |
0.9 (67%) |
|
Ball recoveries* |
8.1 |
4.7 |
|
Def. contributions* |
5.1 |
4.9 |
|
Duels won* |
7.8 (55%) |
7.0 (62%) |
But that’s football. The mistake has been made. Now, Newcastle just need to ensure they don’t repeat them with arguably their most talented summer signing.
Newcastle must avoid another Anderson mistake
In 2024, Anderson left for £35m, and at the time, that seemed like good business. This was a raw prospect, someone who had only started 13 Premier League matches for Newcastle after breaking from their academy.
However, it would be unforgivable for Newcastle to make the same mistake once again with one of their most exciting newbies. After all, as BBC Sport reporter Harry De Cosemo says, “Sean Steur is going to be world-class“.
If Jaissle continues to overlook the teenageer, he will only damage his chances of turning things around at St. James’ Park.
Steur signed for the club from Ajax in a deal worth £23m this summer. Steur might only be 18 years old, but he has such potential, and he has demonstrated that across the first few months of his career in England.
Against Hull, for example, Steur dazzled, producing a brilliant display against the Tigers. Widely lauded as one of the best players on the pitch, he created two chances and made four defensive contributions in a spirited performance. When Jaissle withdrew him, Newcastle’s grip on the game loosened.
Jaissle does seem set in his ways. Many managers are, but Steur impressed when last he played, and he has since sat unused on the bench. Both matches, Newcastle flattered to deceive, with the regressive performances of Joe Willock and Joelinton calling out for the Dutchman’s flair and ingenuity on the ball.
Imagine this: Steur isn’t played as regularly as he should be. He agitates to leave, and is sold to, say, Nottingham Forest. This rising star has all the ability in the world, and it’s not out of the question that he would swiftly reach superstar status with a rival.
It’s obvious that Steur has the potential to develop into one of Europe’s best midfielders. Already, the maturity and cultured edge he shows on the ball is beyond that of certain teammates on Tyneside.
Let’s hope Jaissle gives him the playing time he deserves over the coming weeks and months. Not only would it lift spirits and add a dimension or two, but it would also give young Steur the trust he needs right now, preventing another Anderson situation.
