‘I’m really pleased’: Eddie Howe now thinks Newcastle 20-year-old has improved so much lately

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It has been a brilliant week for Newcastle United, getting three excellent results with three Geordies in the team.

Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff started the wins against Brentford and Sheffield United and the Champions League draw with AC Milan, while Elliot Anderson also had a role to play.

The local lad has started the Magpies’ last two Premier League games, and no longer just looks like a youngster getting an opportunity. He looks like a fully fledged senior player who deserves to be involved.

He is a player who Eddie Howe really trusts now, which was evident when he brought him on at the San Siro to help Newcastle pick up a valuable point.

Anderson is starting to shine after a bright pre-season where he was Newcastle‘s best player, and now Howe has admitted that he is absolutely delighted with the 20-year-old’s progress as of late.

Eddie Howe delighted with how Elliot Anderson is playing

Ahead of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City, Howe has spoke to the media. He was asked about Anderson’s recent involvement and what his best position is.

“I think he’s a versatile player,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s necessarily one position. He’s played as a number eight for us recently and he’s done really well in that position. It probably took him some time to fully understand that role because naturally he’d played wide left for a long time. We’ve moved him slightly inside and I think it really suits his game.

“I have to say I thought he was excellent on Sunday, although he didn’t score which he’ll probably be frustrated with. I thought he was behind a lot of our good football. I thought he was very competitive off the ball. Very good defensively.

“But he’s got a real creative eye and can see a pass, got very good body swerve to beat people one-v-one. I’m really pleased with his progress and how he’s adapting to life in the team.”

Newcastle have a star in their ranks

As Howe says, Anderson was really impressive during the 8-0 win against Sheffield United. The only thing missing from his performance was a goal.

But he was positive every time he got on the ball, combining brilliantly with Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn on the left-hand side of the pitch.

Anderson was brilliant at winning back possession too, showing the kind of intensity that Howe wants from his midfielders.

It is really great to see how much Anderson has kicked on over the past few months. He excelled in flashes last season, but still looked like an academy player who was making the step up.

Now he truly has made the step up, and absolutely belongs in the Newcastle first-team.

He has improved a lot, and the exciting thing is that he will improve even more in the coming months and years.