Elliot Anderson involved in surprising England decision - and Eberechi Eze benefits
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Oliver Walton
Sat 6 September 2025 15:53, UK
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is set to be handed his England debut against Andorra in a surprise move by Thomas Tuchel.
Elliot Anderson has impressed for Nottingham Forest over the last 12 months since his move to the club from boyhood side Newcastle United in July 2024.
The box-to-box midfielder made 37 Premier League appearances last term, scoring twice and providing six assists as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side impressed and eventually finished in seventh place.
Forest were fearful that they may have had to sell Anderson this summer amid PSR concerns, but they have been able to keep hold of him for the campaign ahead, ironically after Anthony Elanga made a big-money move to Newcastle.
Anderson’s fine form has seen him rewarded with an England call-up by Thomas Tuchel, and he is set to be trusted by the German boss from the off as the Three Lions take on Andorra on Saturday (6 September) evening.
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According to a new report from the BBC, Forest midfielder Anderson is expected to make his England debut with a start in their World Cup qualifying clash against minnows Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday.
Anderson is reportedly likely to partner Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, who recently joined him at Arsenal from Crystal Palace, in midfield for the Three Lions, with the reverse fixture seeing Tuchel’s side scrape past Andorra 1-0 back in June.
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Tuchel clearly rates Anderson highly to be picking him from the off ahead of stalwart Jordan Henderson, and it is now up to the 22-year-old to repay that faith with a fine performance in the Second City.
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The BBC also state that Barcelona man Marcus Rashford and Arsenal winger Noni Madueke are expected to start out wide for England against Andorra, so it is clear that Tuchel is planning an attacking set up with Eze in the number 10 role.
Anderson’s inclusion should serve as huge encouragement to Three Lions fans, who want to see their country play with the shackles off more consistently after recent drab showings against Saturday’s opponents and the likes of Albania and Senegal.
AppearancesGoalsAssists84210Anderson’s Premier League career stats
Brentford veteran Henderson was tipped by many to start in the middle of the park alongside Rice against Andorra, but Anderson being set for the nod ahead of him proves that Tuchel is not afraid to make bold decisions and trust inexperienced players.
The England boss has previously insisted that he wants his side to play with a “hunger to win” and not “a fear to lose,” and the 22-year-old should aid that cause massively with his impressive tenacity and desire to progress the ball forward at times.