Thomas Tuchel has urged Elliot Anderson not to be distracted by transfer speculation and to 'stay the same person' if he does complete a huge move. The Nottingham Forest midfielder is expected to leave the City Ground this summer, with Manchester City and Manchester United keen to sign him.
The Etihad appears the most likely destination, with City already making two substantial bids for the midfielder, both rejected. The latest offer was worth £106 million up front, with add-ons that could take the deal north of £120 million. However, Forest are holding out for a guaranteed fee of £125 million for the former Newcastle man.
These figures are staggering, but Tuchel insists Anderson is unfazed by the transfer talk and hopes that remains the case. 'He seems not affected. It was an amazing performance, so all fine,' the England boss said after the 3-0 win over Costa Rica in Wednesday night's friendly.
On the potential of breaking the British transfer record set by Alexander Isak's move from Newcastle to Liverpool, Tuchel said: 'If that's the case, it should just even push him because it's proof of what he's capable to do and what level he can perform. At the moment it seems like a push for him.
'Even if – if – a transfer is completed, hopefully he stays the same person. Nothing will change overnight with him if he wakes up, he's not a new player. People will try to hang around his neck this price but, in reality, nothing changes, he just changes the club and that's the rules of the game.
'Hopefully he just stays the same – a humble, determined, hungry football player. I don't want to go into it too much if it's a boost or not a boost – what I see on the training pitch is no distractions, full commitment, that's what comes from him.'
By the end of the World Cup, England could boast two midfielders who cost over £100 million, as Declan Rice also came with a hefty price tag when Arsenal signed him from West Ham. Rice has had a very busy season, playing 55 times for Arsenal, but insists he is in great shape for the summer's exertions.
'I feel good as gold. Feel really fit, feel really strong,' he said. 'Had a couple of niggles throughout the season which I managed really well with the physios and the manager, so I've come here in a really good place.
'I feel really confident. I think winning that Premier League for me, I have come here with a sense of confidence and a spring in my step. Now I have got over that line with Arsenal, it has given me that confidence that we can come here and achieve big things as well.
'I'm really in a good place at the moment. I think the season has been more mentally tough than physically. Even though I have played so many games, the emotions you go through on a football pitch is ridiculous. Trying to win the Premier League and obviously winning it, and then to lose the final, you're up and down constantly, trying to adapt.
'And then full focus turns to the World Cup. It's hard to think about the World Cup in season because you have so many big games, but when you actually get here, it's when it starts to hit you. So I'm happy I didn't think about it too much ahead, and obviously now I have come here with a fresh mind, ready to go.'
