Elliott Anderson: England midfielder rises to potential British record fee

Anderson was eligible to play for Scotland due to his Glasgow-born grandmother, and Steve Clarke was selected for their Euro 2024 game with Cyprus.

He withdrew through injury before playing for England – helping the Three Lions win the European Under-21 Championship last summer.

Although LiverpoolIts Harvey Elliott was named player of the tournament – scoring six goals, including the opener Victory in the final against Germany – How far forward Anderson was in picking the best XI.

He features as well BournemouthAlex Scott provided England with a solid base in midfield – and the Forest player’s tireless running was particularly impressive. A 3-1 win over Spain in the quarter-finals.

His injury-time penalty sent England into the semi-finals, where they beat the Netherlands in Bratislava to retain their title.

The summer was another platform for Anderson, and he carried his form into Forest’s chaotic season.

Despite playing under four managers in the successful battle against relegation, Anderson was a consistent presence.

In 3-0 win over Tottenham In December, which took Forest three points above the drop zone, Anderson created the most chances (three), completed more passes (38), won the most possessions (nine) and made more tackles (six) than any of his team-mates.

He impressed the staff with his commitment, and regularly spoke with the coaches to discuss the best ways to improve both himself and the team.

His positional awareness has also won praise, although his work rate and willingness to cover as much ground as possible means he can often tire himself.

A demanding man, for himself and his teammates, Forrest sees Anderson as a potential player.

“It’s been a big two years,” said Anderson, who has since moved on Newcastle for £35m in 2024. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job in the time I’ve been here, off the field and on the field.

“I’ve also matured as a person and thanks to the club for giving me that platform, going out there and letting me do my thing.

“In a player’s career, you never know where you’re going. Moving away from your hometown is a big step in your career. It was definitely something I needed to do and it went really well. So I’m glad I made the move.”