'The sky is the limit' for stat-topping Anderson

[Getty Images] Elliot Anderson made his Newcastle United debut in an FA Cup defeat by Arsenal in January 2021, and went on to make 55 appearances in all competitions for the club before joining Bristol Rovers on loan a year later. It was there he completed a vital part of his education. Former Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan, who was a player-coach there at the time, vividly remembers the impact the confident "but never arrogant" Anderson made in the West Country. "He just came into the building and showed his potential straight away," Whelan told BBC Sport. "Nothing seemed to faze him. You could see straight away that this boy was different. "There were certain scenarios in training when I tried to put him under a little pressure. Some kids would be a little bit more reserved and fall back, but Anderson was right on the front foot. He took the bull by the horns. "He just had a confidence about him to show everyone how good he was. It wasn't arrogance, he had obviously had a great upbringing by his family - and he had that Geordie in him. "He loved training, he always wanted to learn and do the extras. He had the attitude to stay behind and get better." [BBC] Anderson's progress has been so impressive that he was fully focused on the World Cup, even as discussions continued around his move to Manchester City. City have agreed a package worth £116m - though some sources have suggested the figure is £130m, which would eclipse the £125m that took Alexander Isak from Newcastle United to Liverpool last summer. And it is not just his England status shaping those discussions, his numbers in 2025-26 also add great value. Anderson had the most touches in the Premier League (3,300), won possession the most times (306), won the most duels (297) and drew the most fouls (80). He will now start next season under the leadership of expected new coach Enzo Maresca - and Whelan has no doubts he will flourish. "The sky is the limit," he said. "We see what he is doing at the World Cup, but I think in time the top teams in the Champions League and all over the world will be sitting up to watch this boy play." [BBC] Read the full article here