PSR means a 'one-club man' is at real risk

IT was no surprise that Eddie Howe's pre-match briefing ahead of Newcastle's meeting with Nottingham Forest was dominated by questions about Elliot Anderson.

- By SEAN MCCORMICK

After all, since leaving Newcastle under a PSR cloud in the summer of 2024, the Magpies academy graduate has grown into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and a contender to start for England in next summer's World Cup.

There is a great pride from Howe and Newcastle about Anderson's rise. That much was evident in the glowing ways in which he spoke about his former player yesterday morning.

But there is also a keen sense of frustration when he talks about the circumstances in which Newcastle were forced to sell Anderson to avoid breaching profit and sustainability rules.

The £35million Newcastle pocketed looks like short change now but, at the time, was a vital means of pure profit which helped United avoid potential punishment which could have led to a points deduction.

The current PSR rules have been criticised by clubs for limiting their ability to invest and, in this case, retain their best young talent.

Certainly Howe is of that opinion, too.