Newcastle United’s decision to sell Elliot Anderson now looks like a huge mistake. What was once hailed as a record sale for the club has quickly turned into a regretful bargain for Nottingham Forest. The talented Whitley Bay-born midfielder has become a revelation for both club and country, showcasing maturity, confidence, and control beyond his years. During England’s recent game, Anderson dominated the midfield, dictating play effortlessly and constantly troubling the Welsh defence.
While Newcastle may one day dream of bringing him back, the real challenge now lies in the price tag. With Anderson tied down to a long-term deal at Forest, his value could easily soar toward the £100 million mark — a figure once associated with Declan Rice’s move from West Ham to Arsenal. As Anderson continues his rapid rise, he appears destined for the world stage, with the World Cup on the horizon and a growing influence under Thomas Tuchel’s management.
After the match, Declan Rice couldn’t hide his admiration for the youngster. “He’s taken it all in his stride,” said Rice. “He plays with confidence and doesn’t try to do anything different — it’s like autopilot for him. We’ve built a really good understanding in midfield, and the connection between us keeps improving.” Acting as England’s captain for the evening in Harry Kane’s absence, Rice added, “We’re building a nice partnership. The manager likes what he sees, and the more we play together, the stronger we’ll get. The World Cup’s still ahead, and maintaining that momentum is key.”
Meanwhile, former Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy made headlines for a very different reason. His Wales team found themselves 3-0 down within the first 20 minutes at Wembley, leaving them clinging to damage limitation. After the heavy defeat, a visibly frustrated Bellamy didn’t mince words. When asked if the result was damaging, he snapped, “Damaging? Really! This was a football match. When you get your a*** kicked, you learn the most — and I got my a*** kicked. That’s it.” Bellamy stormed through the post-match media area, visibly seething as he faced up to the scale of work ahead for his Welsh side.
Even England boss Thomas Tuchel wasn’t entirely pleased, despite the 3-0 win. By the second half, paper aeroplanes had started drifting from the stands — a clear sign of restlessness from the fans. Tuchel took note of the subdued atmosphere, telling ITV, “The players delivered enough to deserve more from the stands. It was hard to maintain the energy in the second half, but overall, we were excellent and fully deserved the win.”
What began as a statement victory for England ended with mixed emotions — jubilation on the pitch, frustration in the dugout, and for Newcastle fans, a painful reminder of a star they let slip away too soon.
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