England manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a resounding endorsement of midfielder Elliot Anderson, describing the Nottingham Forest player as 'elite' and 'one of the best in the Premier League'.
Rapid Rise to Prominence
The 23-year-old, who has only earned four senior caps for England, is now firmly in contention to start as the team's No. 6 at the 2026 World Cup. Anderson's impressive form comes after he was instrumental in England's victorious Under-21 Euros campaign this summer.
According to Opta statistics, Anderson has won more recoveries – situations where neither team has possession – than any other player in the Premier League this season, a remarkable feat given he plays for a struggling Forest side.
Midfield Reshuffle Under Tuchel
Tuchel's tactical vision appears to have accelerated Anderson's integration into the senior squad. While Gareth Southgate previously paired Declan Rice with Kobbie Mainoo, Tuchel views Rice as a box-to-box No. 8 rather than a holding midfielder.
With Mainoo falling out of favour at Manchester United, Anderson has seized his opportunity. 'At the moment he is a key player for us,' Tuchel stated on Wednesday ahead of Serbia's visit to Wembley. 'He is a very complete, mobile central midfielder. Elliot at the moment is an elite football player with the right attitude and talent.'
Bellingham and Foden Must Earn Places
Tuchel has recalled Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to the squad after both missed the last two camps, but he emphasised that their return doesn't guarantee starting positions.
'We were driving the levels and standards without them,' Tuchel explained. 'Now they are back and it is their responsibility to contribute to this.' England's standout 5-0 victory over Serbia in Belgrade in September, achieved without Bellingham or Foden, demonstrated the team's capability.
That result, coupled with a 1-0 loss to Albania, led to Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic resigning. His successor, Veljko Paunovic, now faces the challenge of salvaging Serbia's qualification campaign, with the team currently third and competing with Albania for a runners-up spot.
Despite England having already qualified, Tuchel insists his team must maintain their high standards. 'We play for our own levels,' he said, acknowledging that Serbia will be highly motivated to make amends for their heavy defeat.
