Newcastle United’s World Cup semi-finalist waxes lyrical about ex-Bristol Rovers loanee

Newcastle United and England international right-back Kieran Trippier is a huge fan of Elliot Anderson, it has emerged.

The 19-year-old had a stellar six-months with Bristol Rovers, helping them to promotion from League Two after joining on Deadline Day, arriving as an unknown quantity.

Anderson was suggested to former Magpies midfielder Joey Barton by his former teammates Shola Ameobi and Steve Harper after being knocked back by other players.

He turned out to be a masterstroke as he registered 13 goal contributions in just under half a season for the Gas, including scoring the decisive goal to get them promoted against Scunthorpe United.

The Whitley Bay teenager earned rave reviews during his time at the Memorial Stadium and the praise has not stopped with a current teammate waxing lyrical about him.

Trippier, who arrived at Newcastle from Atletico Madrid in January, sung his praises whilst there was a pause on Premier League football.

Appearing on Arab News’ Black & White podcast, Newcastle World editor Liam Kennedy revealed a discussion he had with Trippier on

“I was standing on the Quayside, I had a drink with Newcastle United’s current captain Kieran Trippier on Saturday night just gone.

“And he did nothing but wax lyrical about Elliot Anderson. And he talks about the idea of a young Georgie lad from North Shields. He said he’s rarely seen anybody with the talent he has got in the game.

“And that’s quite an incredible thing from 40, 50-odd capped England international who’s played in Champions League runs to the final and things like that and played at Atletico Madrid under Simeone and England at World Cups and European Championships.

“And to hear that from somebody of his ilk, it was quite incredible. So I would say fingers crossed, I think this will be for me the season that Elliot Anderson comes to the Premier League party, and that he will probably bring goals.”

Trippier, 32, has 32 senior caps to his name for the England national team and scored a goal in the World Cup semi-final back in 2018. He also won the La Liga title with Atletico in 2021 and played in the Champions League final for Tottenham Hotspur.

For an accomplished player like Trippier to sing his praises, shows what a player Rovers had on their hands.

Since returning to St James Park from his loan spell with Rovers, he has featured for the Magpies first-team in both league and cup matches.

He has made four appearances in all competitions this season, starting in the EFL Cup and coming on at Anfield to play Liverpool, which is a far cry from playing away at teams such as Carlisle United and Rochdale.