Nottingham Forest stars react to Elliot Anderson's message as he arrives at new destination
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Jonathan Burnett
Wed 3 September 2025 16:36, UK
Elliot Anderson’s senior England debut could be just days away after his first call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
Nottingham Forest‘s rise up the Premier League table last season took many by surprise, and also came with two new signings in Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic as ever-presents in Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side.
Milenkovic and Anderson made up 11 new arrivals at the City Ground last summer, but only Ramon Sosa, Jota Silva and Morato also featured regularly with Anderson earning plenty of plaudits for his displays.
Forest started this season in similarly strong fashion before Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to a previously winless West Ham side, which came after Anderson had received his first call-up to the England setup.
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Tuchel has previously stated his admiration for Anderson and his Forest team-mates Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White, as well as establishing that he sees the 22-year-old as a number eight.
Anderson may be forced to play deeper should he make his debut against Andorra or Serbia, however, after Adam Wharton withdrew from the squad and Ruben Loftus-Cheek was called up in his place.
Joining Gibbs-White in Tuchel‘s squad for this month’s matches, Anderson arrived at St.
George’s Park ahead of his potential debut, and England‘s official Instagram account welcomed him to the senior side.
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Forest trio Murillo, Chris Wood and Omari Hutchinson all liked England’s message, which said: “Great to have you with us, Elliot Anderson!”
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Football Insider Verdict
Tuchel is yet to decide on the system he’ll opt for with the Three Lions at next summer’s World Cup, but his history of using wing-backs has led to calls for Hudson-Odoi to earn an England call-up before then.
Anderson has more experience of sitting at the base of midfield than most of Tuchel’s other options in this role, with Declan Rice now an out-and-out number eight and Wharton playing ahead of a back three.
Forest’s 3-1 win over Brentford in their Premier League opener saw Anderson put on a “masterclass” in midfield which raised calls for him to earn an England place, and eyes are now on Tuchel to get the best out of the 22-year-old.