Joey Barton compares Newcastle United player to Diego Maradona

Joey Barton had an eventful career, which saw him play for Newcastle United for quite a few years. Never one to stay away from the headlines during his playing days, he finds himself under a comparatively dimmer spotlight right now, as the manager of League Two club Bristol Rovers. Before that, he had managed Fleetwood Town. And some of the former England international’s recent comments are very interesting.

They involve 19-year-old Newcastle United youngster, Elliot Anderson, who is currently on loan at Bristol Rovers, and a certain Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest to lace up a pair of football boots.

Anderson has been making quite an impression at Bristol Rovers and also appears to have a penchant for scoring world-class goals. And it has certainly caught the eye of his manager.

As reported by Newcastle World, speaking about the youngster, Barton compared him to a 19-year-old Maradona and also claimed that he would have paid to watch him:

"“I’ve been listening to Bill Shankly tapes a lot today.“He talked a lot about a 19-year-old Diego Maradona and how he slows down in the penalty area, exactly like Elliot Anderson does. Such a talent.“Elliot has been brilliant for us from the first day we brought him in. I would have paid to watch him tonight – he was that good.”"

Barton compares Newcastle United youngster to Maradona

There is no doubt that Anderson is an incredible prospect and his numbers at the youth level for Newcastle United are fantastic as well, but the fact of the matter is that he is playing League Two football right now.

It is a great experience for him and will hopefully be a great step in his development at the senior level. But right now, it is a bit too early to compare his abilities or aspects of his game to other players.

There is no reason to believe that Anderson cannot be a first-team star for Newcastle United in the future and has in fact already made a couple of appearances for the senior team.

He has looked very promising during his loan spell at Bristol Rovers as well. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in 12 appearances for the League Two club.