As Man City find themselves in an impossible battle to escape the headlines, Geordie boy Elliot Anderson is caught up right in the middle, just weeks after sealing a dream move
Elliot Anderson has flourished after leaving Newcastle United
Elliot Anderson left Wembley with a glum expression after England's 3-2 defeat to Spain in the UEFA Nations League.
Interviews were never on the cards in truth as he was walked through by an FA minder. Requests for him to respond to media requests were snubbed, as an inquest on Man City's 115 charges took place next door, with Thomas Tuchel asked if the situation was affecting the mood of his camp with the likes of Anderson, Nico O'Relly and Marc Guehi all on board.
Their futures are uncertain as attempts are made to discover whether they have relegation release clauses or not. The Whitley Bay lad is a £116million player these days and would not exactly be short of options if the worst comes to the worst, something that is being widely forecasted in the football and financial worlds.
Newcastle would be interested in bringing him 'home' if he were to become available with sporting director Ross Wilson a big fan of the man he pinched from the Magpies for just £35m in 2024. Back then, Nottingham Forest took advantage of Newcastle's desperation but whether they'd stand a chance if vultures begin to swoop around the Etihad Stadium remains to be seen.
City, of course, have known about the potential ramifications for years now. The hearing for the charges took place two years ago amid legal wrangle after wrangle. Reports that they have been found guilty of 114 of them emerged on Friday, with an appeal now in process.
Points deductions, fines, compensation to other clubs (possibly Newcastle included) and even forced relegation are all possible sanctions. A transfer ban could follow too.
Despite these, it seems City haven't inserted relegation clauses in the contracts of players, with the likes of Erling Haaland's negotiated deal among those with no escape option. Anderson, signed in the summer from Forest, may be the same.
Asked on whether the charges were proving to be a distraction, Tuchel said last night: "Not for me but I can imagine for the Man City players. For the players who have more time than me, for sure I can imagine they talk about it."
For many Newcastle fans it would be a dream to see Anderson return, not least off the back of a fantastic World Cup. But the reality is United may struggle given he is now picking up a reported £300,000 per week with moneybags City, double what Newcastle are coughing up.
Unless Man City can stop selling him to a Premier League rival like Arsenal or, God forbid, Man United, the conversation would surround a global giant like Real Madrid - where some of CAA Stellar's clients are already base - or Bayern Munich.
Newcastle would love to make it happen somehow, but there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge yet.
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