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Why Newcastle's new Elliot Anderson is becoming a problem for Jaissle

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Published Sep 16, 2026, 7:15 AM GMT+1

Angus is an experienced football writer at Football FanCast, specialising in analytical reporting, opinion and feature writing, with particular expertise in Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

A journalist since graduating from Southampton Solent University in 2022, Angus has built extensive experience across the football media industry. Before joining Football FanCast, he led VAVEL's Brighton & Hove Albion department, developing experience in club-specific reporting and editorial leadership.

Angus joined Football FanCast through Snack Media's (now Valnet) academy and has since become one of the site's longest-serving writers, progressing into the Opinions and Features team. During his time with Football FanCast, he has produced thousands of articles across a broad range of Premier League clubs and stories.

His work combines analytical reporting, informed opinion and detailed feature writing, with a particular focus on understanding the factors behind performances, transfers and major developments rather than simply reporting the headline. His strongest areas of expertise are Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, although his extensive Premier League coverage has given him a broad understanding of the English top flight.

Angus brings readers experienced, research-led football analysis and considered opinion, using his years of covering the Premier League to provide context, assess players and transfers, and explain what the latest developments mean for clubs and their ambitions.

The alarm bells have started ringing at Newcastle United, with the 4-1 thrashing against Leeds United at Elland Road confirmation that, no, Matthias Jaissle and his side are not yet ready to challenge at the top of the Premier League.

So many sweeping summer changes were always going to rock the boat, but Jaissle will of course be concerned by the way in which his side were dismantled by the Whites, whose physical and athletic superiority bore dividends for them on the evening.

Newcastle's two-man midfield pivot won't work every week. Even Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali and Joelinton would have been up against it at Elland Road.

Such sales were ultimately inevitable, but Newcastle will surely continue to regret the decision to let Elliot Anderson leave two years ago. He's long gone now, but the Three Lions midfielder's presence would have been felt on Monday evening.

Why Newcastle will continue to regret Elliot Anderson sale

Hindsight is ever a double-edged blade, but Newcastle will surely regret the decision in 2024 to sell Anderson to Nottingham Forest. At the time, £35m for a young and relatively untested squad player felt like good business, but the England star has proved them wrong since then.

Anderson's immediate impact at the City Ground outlined the Magpies' blunder, certain to have reaped rich rewards from their homegrown superstar had they only invested a little bit more time and patience into his development.

Sure, PSR concerns had hamstrung the club - to a degree. However, they might have been alternative ways to swerve punishment. That summer, for example, PIF turned down a £75m approach from Liverpool for Anthony Gordon.

You need only cast a glance at the 23-year-old's commanding display over the Red Devils in the Manchester derby to know that this is one of the best midfielders in Europe - but then, sadly, Toon fans have known that for some time.

Newcastle have regrets, but Anderson's meteoric rise - completing a £116m move to Manchester City this summer - won't be replicated by every promising up-and-coming midfielder out there.

Newcastle's new Anderson is becoming Longstaff 2.0

Pitted against Newcastle on Monday evening, Sean Longstaff emerged from the bench to help Leeds toward a comprehensive victory. A product of the Toon academy system, Jaissle now has a new homegrown superstar on the cards.

Indeed, Lewis Miley is becoming an increasingly important part of this Newcastle side, but the homegrown star may struggle across the course of the campaign, should Jaissle persist with the double pivot.

Leeds completely overwhelmed Newcastle, and Miley was perhaps shown that he is not yet on Anderson's level - indeed, he may not reach that same lofty standard.

Skilled on the ball and intuitive across attacking and build-up phases, Miley, 20, has left a lot to be desired in defensive. He's not the most combative, ranking among the bottom 25% of Premier League midfielders so far this season for duels won and the bottom 10% for tackles won per 90.

Longstaff is hardly a poor player, but not rooted in the same world-class quality as someone like Anderson. He is an industrious midfielder, but Daniel Farke is yet to start him in the Premier League this season.

Miley, in fairness, is showing a considerable amount of technical potential, and when you look at how he performed last season in comparison to Anderson during his final year at Newcastle, there's no question that he could become a mainstay in Newcastle's midfield down the line.

Premier League Form

Stats (* per 90)

Anderson (23/24)

Miley (25/26)

Matches (starts)	21 (10)	23 (15)
Goals + Assists	0 + 2	1 + 4
Touches*	33.5	48.7
Accurate passes*	16.4 (83%)	32.8 (90%)
Big chances created	2	3
Key passes*	0.7	0.7
Succ. dribbles*	1.0 (54%)	0.5 (86%)
Ball recoveries*	2.9	3.0
Def. contributions*	2.5	3.7
Duels won*	4.0 (49%)	3.9 (66%)

But Leeds' meaty midfielders gave Miley and co a lesson in Premier League physicality on Monday. The Geordie midfielder has much to learn before he establishes himself as one of the best in the business, echoing Anderson's rise to the fore at Forest.

Talented for sure, Miley was served something of a reality check against Leeds, lacking the kind of gumption and initiative on the ball that Anderson produces infallibly most weeks.

England's Elliot Anderson celebrates after the match as England qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup

Whether Miley manages to raise his game several levels higher remains to be seen, but there's no question that Jaissle now knows he does not have the next Anderson on his hands. Not yet. Newcastle have work still to do on that front.

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