England manager Tuchel hints Anderson will start against Serbia

2025-09-07 03:07

In England's 2-0 World Cup qualifier against Andorra, 22-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson made his national team debut and his performance as the No. 6 won high praise from coach Thomas Tuchel.

Anderson showed his active passing, excellent physical confrontation and courage to break the defense in his debut, which made the outside world see his potential to fill the gap in England's midfield. In the post-match interview, Tuchel said frankly: "He is a very, very good player."

"He has the ability to physically confront, he likes to defend and confront, but he also likes to pass and break through. He is very flexible on the court and can bring a lot to the team. It is a pleasure to watch him play."

Tuchel also stressed that his teammates provided Anderson with support, allowing him to quickly get into the game in his debut: "He played very freely and quickly got into the rhythm of the game. He has proved that he can bring his training and club performance to the national team."

“I think he has the physical qualities and mentality to cope with more difficult matches. With this performance, he is clearly in the starting lineup against Serbia.”

For England, who are still searching for the right midfield balance, Anderson's rise is undoubtedly a boon. His promotion not only gives the team an additional qualified No. 6 candidate, but also provides more tactical options for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.