Elliot Anderson has been the standout performer of the international break – but it means Manchester United are now linked with him
The good news for Elliot Anderson is that he doesn’t look out of place at the highest level of international football.
The bad news, however, is that his impressive performances for England have resulted in him being linked with Manchester United. Reports claim United have added him to their shopping list for 2026.
And there’s no escaping the fact he would add some genuine and much-needed quality to Ruben Amorim’s midfield. It’s a true measure of how fickle football is that someone can have a good game on his Three Lions debut, and find himself being touted for another club 48 hours later.
But there is no questioning Anderson’s loyalties to his nation. Even if he did once find himself in a Scotland squad. Because their loss has now become England’s gain.
Anderson was England’s stand out performer in last weekend’s dour win over Andorra at Villa Park. Yet the gushing praise still felt a bit hollow, considering his display came against a team once ranked 206 in the world.
While the negativity surrounding England’s lacklustre display left people yearning for something positive to cling to. Facing Serbia in the hostile Rajko Mitic Stadium is quite a different challenge altogether.
And one the Nottingham Forest star passed with flying colours. Pulling on that Three Lions shirt can feel like a burden to some. It can weigh heavy.
But Anderson, 22, has worn it for the first two times with his chest out and head held high. At a time when we are fast approaching a World Cup year. When auditions never feel as pressurised and important.
He spoke to the media at St George’s Park last week, and said he thought he could have a chance of making Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the finals in North America. He thinks right.
Gareth Southgate spent a lot of time attempting to find the ideal partner for Declan Rice in midfield. He never quite found the answer, despite picking the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and even Trent Alexander-Arnold there at times.
But Tuchel might just have solved the problem in six games. There is a certain authority and calmness about Anderson, which belies his young age and lack of international experience. Nothing seems to faze him.
Like when he made a rare mistake with a loose ball in the opening 15 minutes to gift the hosts a run at England’s goal. No problem. Anderson simply charged back to win the ball again and defuse the danger.
The best teams have someone who does the simple things well, and Anderson could be that man for England. His deep-lying position enabled Rice to maraud forward when he wished, adding an extra goal threat to England’s attacking options.
Anderson wanted the ball, and started to resemble the heartbeat of England’s engine room. A young lion not just surviving in Belgrade’s so-called bear pit, but thriving.
Tuchel has had a difficult start to life as England manager. He might well have got more things wrong than right, and had left himself vulnerable to suggestions his team had been going backwards.
But his decision to call-up Anderson is beginning to look like a mini masterstroke. This was a statement win in Belgrade that should book England’s place in the finals next summer.
And Anderson has to be on the plane.
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