PIF have already signed Newcastle’s new Elliot Anderson and he’s a “terrific” talent
The mood on Tyneside is one of cautious anticipation as Newcastle United prepares to return from the international break.
Currently sitting in a disappointing 17th place in the Premier League without a win from their first three matches, the team is in clear need of a spark.
A thrilling but ultimately fruitless 3-2 defeat to Liverpool was followed by a flat and goalless draw at Leeds United, leaving manager Eddie Howe with plenty to ponder during the pause in fixtures.
Amid this sluggish start, the success of a former academy graduate serves as a painful reminder of what might have been.
Due to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Newcastle were forced to sell both Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh in the summer of 2024.
While Minteh’s departure was expected, the choice to let Anderson leave is now viewed with particular regret.
The 22-year-old midfielder has flourished since joining Nottingham Forest, becoming such a vital creative force for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side that he has now earned his first senior cap for England.
Anderson’s impact at the City Ground has been immediate and profound. He isn’t just a technical player; his game is built on a foundation of relentless energy.
Last season, he averaged a mighty 6.5 duels won per game, a statistic that underscores his tenacity and fight in the center of the park.
Combined with his two goals and six assists, this made him an indispensable part of the Forest team that secured Europa League qualification.
He is precisely the type of dynamic, hungry player Newcastle could use to lift themselves out of their current malaise.
Thankfully, the club’s strategy in the recent transfer window suggests they learned a lesson from Anderson’s departure.
The record-breaking £125 million sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool, while a blow, provided the financial freedom to reinvest significantly.
While the big-money signings of strikers Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade grabbed headlines, the £43 million acquisition of Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa might prove to be the most astute piece of business.
Much like Anderson at Newcastle, Ramsey found himself in and out of the starting lineup at his boyhood club, but his underlying quality was never in doubt.
The 24-year-old arrives with a proven Premier League pedigree and a skill set that seems tailor-made for Eddie Howe’s system.
The numbers from his time at Villa Park paint a picture of a complete and effective midfielder.
The following table illustrates his contributions during his Premier League career with Aston Villa:
| Metric | Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa) |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 138 |
| Games Started | 94 |
| Goals Scored | 14 |
| Assists | 12 |
| Passes Completed | 3004 (85% accuracy) |
| Tackles Made | 193 |
| Duels Won | 487 |
These figures reveal a player who contributes in every phase of the game. With 14 goals and 12 assists, he offers a direct goal threat and creativity.
His pass completion rate of 85% shows he can be trusted in possession, while his tackling and duel-winning stats averaging 3.5 duels won per game demonstrate a combativeness that will endear him to the St. James’ Park faithful.
There is a certain irony that Newcastle, having felt the sting of losing a local talent like Anderson to another club’s PSR opportunism, have now benefited from Aston Villa’s own financial constraints.
Villa fans were understandably frustrated to see a player once hailed as “terrific” by former manager Steven Gerrard leave under such circumstances.
For Newcastle, however, it represents a chance to correct a past mistake. In Jacob Ramsey, they have not just signed a talented midfielder; they have acquired their own version of Elliot Anderson a hungry, proven Premier League performer with a point to prove.
His energy, technical quality, and fighting spirit could be the exact catalyst needed to propel the Magpies up the table and finally kickstart their season.