Thomas Tuchel has praised Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as “elite” and “one of the best in the Premier League” ahead of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The 23-year-old has earned only four senior caps but is in pole position to start as Tuchel’s No 6 at the base of a three-man midfield for the 2026 World Cup.
Anderson was instrumental in England’s Under-21 European Championship victory this summer and has maintained that form for Forest. According to Opta, he leads the Premier League in recoveries—balls won when neither team is in possession. Tuchel said: “At the moment he is a key player for us. He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He is nothing but impressive and he has to keep on going. He is a very complete, mobile central midfielder. Elliot at the moment is an elite football player with the right attitude and talent.”
Tuchel has recalled Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden after they missed the last two camps, but stressed both must earn their places. “We were driving the levels and standards without them. Now they are back and it is their responsibility to contribute to this,” he said. England thrashed Serbia 5-0 in Belgrade in September without the duo, a result that led to Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic resigning.
Serbia, now under Veljko Paunovic, are third in their qualifying group and scrapping with Albania for a runners-up spot. Tuchel said England must maintain momentum: “We are already qualified. It should not matter because we play for our own standards. We play for our own levels. The (5-0 win in Belgrade) was mainly down to our quality. Now there is a new coach with new energy, in the same strong group and a proud group of players. And we have to do it again.”
