Columnist urges Thomas Tuchel to build around Elliot Anderson after England displays

Elliot Anderson's early impact for England during the recent international break has prompted a high-profile call for Thomas Tuchel to make the 22-year-old a central figure in his midfield plans.

In a column for the Daily Mail, Craig Hope argued that Anderson's performances — capped by a starring role in England's 5-0 win over Serbia — show he operates more like a No. 8 than a traditional No. 6, and that Tuchel should be considering him as a first-choice option in midfield. Hope wrote that Anderson's heat map from the Serbia match showed the midfielder affecting play high up the pitch and contributing across attacking and defensive phases.

Hope described Anderson as a player who "runs, passes, tackles and shoots" and who brings urgency and adventure to the centre of the park. The columnist also cited the view of long-time scout Graham Carr, who after watching Anderson on loan at Bristol Rovers in 2022 told Hope that the midfielder was a rare technical talent. Carr compared elements of Anderson's receiving and distribution to Peter Beardsley and likened his swagger to earlier Newcastle graduates.

Anderson left Newcastle United for Nottingham Forest last summer in a move reported to be worth around £15 million, a transfer the columnist said came partly as a response to Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules. Forest do not appear to have included a buy-back clause in the deal, and the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has previously resisted selling key players, a dynamic Hope said could make the City Ground the next stage in Anderson's development if a new contract and recruitment of similar young players follow.

The midfielder's progress has not been uninterrupted. Hope noted that Anderson suffered fitness setbacks earlier in his career — including a hip issue that involved differing medical opinions over treatment — and that last season was his first without such interruption. Those fitness concerns were among the factors, according to the column, that contributed to Newcastle's decision to let him go rather than see him become indispensable.

Team-mates and former coaches have also spoken highly of Anderson. Hope quoted former and current colleagues who have praised his technical ability and competitive temperament, including Anthony Gordon, who has a long-standing friendship with Anderson from their time together in the North Tyneside area. Kieran Trippier is reported to have described Anderson's talent as "crazy".

On the tactical front, Hope suggested that Anderson's style demands a different interpretation of midfield roles: rather than being deployed as a sit‑deep No. 6, Anderson's heat map and on-ball tendencies point to the characteristics of a No. 8 who contributes higher up the pitch. The columnist proposed that more defensive-minded midfielders such as Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson or even Declan Rice could be used in roles to protect the back line if managers elect to accommodate Anderson's forward influence.

Hope acknowledged that his assessment is built on a small sample — two international appearances — but he argued the performances were convincing enough to warrant consideration at club level. He also suggested that clubs at the top of the game would be monitoring Anderson's situation at Forest, where sustained fitness and form would determine his trajectory.

Nottingham Forest have benefited from Anderson's contributions since his arrival, and the club's handling of any approach will be watched closely. Hope's column framed the debate around whether Forest should tie him down with a new contract and add complementary young signings, or whether offers from larger clubs will become unavoidable if Anderson continues to perform on the international stage.

For now, Anderson's immediate prospects hinge on maintaining fitness and form. The midfielder's recent England outings have raised his profile and sparked discussion over how managers might best deploy his blend of technical skill, forward intent and work rate. Observers will be watching how club and national coaches respond to those performances as the season progresses.