Elliott Anderson leads Nottingham Forest and England

Kelly: You’ve also become an England international… that’s straight up a laugh! What has that been like for you? And has it given you a new level of confidence? Does it change your feeling on the pitch?

Eliot: Yes, of course. I think that probably played a role in feeling like a leader, you know? Bringing that confidence to my voice. And just the belief in me – that people recognized that I was the player I thought I was. I’ve always believed in myself, but when you’ve got other people’s support, it really helps.

Kelly: Talk to me about Thomas Tuchel – when you first got the call-up. I imagine that is every little boy’s dream?

Eliot: Yes, it is. we were Crystal Palace Away and I’m sitting in the changing room getting ready to play and a message comes in… ‘TT’. And he was like: ‘Can I see you after the game?’

Kelly: Suppose you knew ‘TT’ directly, though?

Eliot: Well, I guessed a bit, yes, because there was some talk around then and then it said: ‘Can I see you after the game?’ So my nerves were going straight before the game. I just knew I had to perform and then he told me the news after the game so I was buzzing!

Kelly: It seems like he has a lot of faith in you and he’s obviously a big fan because directly it’s helped your performance, but it seems like a lot of people are now saying that you’re not only going to be in the squad, you’re going to be one of the first names on the teamsheet. how does it feel

Eliot: It’s good – yes, he’s a top coach. He really helped me move into the group and just coached me in that role. I haven’t played it much before and now I’m down to six. He helped me understand the game and coached me.

Kelly: What is your best position? Or which position do you enjoy the most?

Eliot: erm…

Kelly: You’ll be careful here, won’t you? Because you don’t want to upset any director!

Eliot: I was the aggressor, to be honest. I used to be a number 10 or a winger. And then I’ve slowly just dropped back.

Kelly: You say as if you do not want!

Eliot: Honestly I don’t really care. Six or eight, I’d say – you know, getting on the ball, finding attacking players and getting the ball in their pocket and letting them do things. And then obviously when I play eight I have more opportunities to shoot and score so I like both.

Kelly: So, many people think of you as a defensive midfielder, but you actually still want to score goals? You mentioned scoring a few times during this chat!

Eliot: Yes, of course. Isn’t it the hardest thing in football? So that’s something I want to do more of.

Kelly: What do you think has changed for? Nottingham Forest From last season to this season – because you talked about trying to maintain your level, but you couldn’t reach the heights after a fantastic campaign last year?

Eliot: It’s hard to put a finger on what has changed. Last season we were really good defensively – as a unit we had clean sheets and stuff… set-pieces and stuff. Maybe we’re a little lacking in that department this season. Maybe teams understood what we were doing last season and understood the way we played. So now we have to evolve and change the game a bit. But, yes, we all do what the manager says.

Kelly: Bring it back to yourself, what’s the best match you’ve ever played? Or perhaps one you wish you could relive?

Eliot: I really enjoyed it In the semi-final against Man City last season. I really enjoyed that one. Obviously we didn’t win but playing at Wembley was really special. And I would probably say my England debut. I loved that, you know! Coming from the beginning as well.

Kelly: Can you think of it? Talk to me through…

Eliot: I was quite nervous to be honest, I think everyone would be. You’re in the warm-up and you think every pass needs to be good – and then your first few touches. I started well and that gave me that confidence. I just picture the pass and get the ball – going forward – involves a lot of things, which is what I love to do.

Kelly: Given what you have achieved so far, what do you still want to achieve in football?

Eliot: I think we are in the best league in the world so I would say stay in the Premier League as long as I can and play as many games as possible. I also want to win big trophies with England.

Kelly: Maybe this summer?

Eliot: Hope so!

Kelly: Then talk to me a bit more about your life away from the pitch. You have already mentioned that you have two older brothers. What was that dynamic like, other than growing up there obviously involved a lot of football?

Eliot: I’ve liked it. Probably my two best companions growing up. We did everything together – three brothers all the time making noise and play-fighting – really murder.

Kelly: And your brothers of course – one of them is in the public eye, but doing something different to himself?

Eliot: Yes, he is Went to Love Island, outsider Actually a few years ago!

Kelly: What was that like for you?

Eliot: It was fun! We all used to block it with a pillow when he did some bad things! But it was really good. He really enjoyed it and he did really well. I was really happy for her – she’s already on a different path in her life and she’s really amazing at what she’s doing.

Kelly: Because he’s boxing now right?

Eliot: Yes, he started boxing. He really enjoyed it and it was always something he wanted to do. He quit football quite young and he really enjoyed Muay Thai and boxing. So, yes, he went down that road. He fought the other night and won, so that was good.

Kelly: And you went to see him, right?

Eliot: Yes, I did.

Kelly: And he’s often in the stands watching you, is that right?

Eliot: Yes, of course. It’s role reversal. I go to support him and he always comes to support me, so I went to give him that extra support and he did really well.

Kelly: Do you get to visit your family home often? What does an ideal holiday look like for you?

Eliot: Probably too short to get a day off Newcastle Because of travel, but if I get a couple of days off, I’ll get up and see my family and spend time there. There is a nice beach and stuff. And I just chill out. But they’re down here all the time – obviously with games.

Kelly: So how does the holiday feel? I imagine you get a day off because of Europe and stuff in general. What do you do?

Eliot: I went out to have breakfast. I’ve got a nice place here, where I like to go – and I walk the dog.

Kelly: Do you have a dog?

Eliot: yes

Kelly: More than one?

Eliot: I have two dogs – a sausage dog and a German shepherd.

Kelly: Name?

Eliot: Leo and Obi.

Kelly: Well, have you received them recently?

Eliot: I have had Leo for about a year and a half and then, I got OB about six months ago.

Kelly: Oh! Are they puppies?

Eliot: Homicide! I’ll also do some of my recovery stuff that I’ve done at home and play Call of Duty.

Kelly: Ah, are you a Call of Duty player? I was asking about the hobby – what is it?

Eliot: In Call of Duty minutes, yes! I go through playstation gaming phases when new games come out. At this point we’ve got a small group and that’s where we spend most of our nights.

Kelly: You know what the next question is. Who is in the team?

Eliot: It’s me, Neko (Williams), Omari (Hutchinson) and Maka (James McAtee). We have a two-v-two here and there and me and Neko come up.

Kelly: You’re going to say that because they’re not here to defend themselves!

Eliot: No, they are actually very good.

Kelly: So for you the holidays are all about cool and stuff… are you a pretty cool person?

Eliot: yes, i am You can probably tell! I think everyone says I’m pretty relaxed. i am quiet I’ll chill at home, really recover from one game and get ready for the next one because I’ve done so much this season.

Kelly: How much has your life changed in the past year?

Eliot: Yes, there is a lot of it. As I say, when I first joined here everyone said how cool I was. It takes me a while to come out of my shell and I really can’t stop talking now! I was talking to the boys before this interview. I think one of the questions was: ‘What would surprise you about me?’

Kelly: There you go, you’ve done your research! i am impressed

Eliot: Yes, because the boys were saying: ‘Maybe people think you’re pretty mean’. I was like, ‘Oh, cheers!’ So, yes, probably that. From the outside, I probably look quite sad and boring!

Kelly: Did it surprise you that they thought you were miserable?

Eliot: not really

Kelly: oh So, you are aware that you are coming across quite…

Eliot: maybe a little I’m just… not sad… I don’t know! Everyone says I’ve got a bit of a poker face – so they never know how I’m feeling and stuff.

Kelly: So how did you cope with moving to England? Were you pretty cool there?

Eliot: I knew people were going to England so it was a bit different. I think coming here I didn’t know anyone so it was a tough couple of weeks, but in England I kind of know people and that made it a lot easier.

Kelly: Can you think of any other questions for me? You can also ask them yourself if you want…

Eliot: No I don’t. I do not know anything!

Kelly: How was your first training session with England? Because you talk about nerves and staying calm. How did it feel?

Eliot: It was great. Obviously, as you say, I was nervous about it, but I think one of the big things about going to England is getting the approval of your teammates. Show them you’re a good player. So that was all I really focused on in the first session. I was trying to show what I can do and I’m a really good player.

Kelly: Tell me the one thing people get most wrong about you…

Eliot: People always spell my name with two t’s. And it’s a tee.

Kelly: It must be really boring, right?

Eliot: It’s boring.

Kelly: I think you could have it as an answer, to be honest. Well, thank you for talking with me today and hopefully we’ve dispelled a few myths. If people don’t see you smile, you’re not bad!

Eliot: Ah yes maybe I used the wrong word there! Maybe just a poker face, you know?

Kelly: That’s probably good. So people don’t know. Keep people guessing.

Eliot: I’m crazy about poker though!