Ahead of Nottingham Forest’s match against Arsenal this weekend, England midfielder Elliot Anderson spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail about his journey and what it feels like to represent England’s senior team.
You joined Newcastle’s academy at just eight years old.
“I was already playing for Newcastle’s teams while I was still in school, which felt weird because everyone assumed you thought you were the best—cool and all that. I really didn’t like that image. Just because you play football, you get all this? I never liked that perception.”
“It made me quite withdrawn because I genuinely didn’t want people to see me that way. I didn’t want to carry that stigma. My mindset wasn’t like that—that’s probably why I became who I am today.”
Last September, you made your senior England debut against Andorra, and since then, your rise has been so rapid that many now believe you could be one of Thomas Tuchel’s starting players for the World Cup—a spotlight that’s brought you significant attention.
“I don’t know (laughs)! I don’t want to say what went wrong there—I’m just here to do my job as best I can. But honestly, everything’s gone really well. It’s all a bit crazy.”
“Now I’m getting more attention, but I feel okay. I’m still not cool! I train, go home, walk my dog—I’ve just got a new dog, so the house is chaos right now.”
You used to play as a left winger but have excelled in a deeper midfield role.
“I used to be a player who loved carrying the ball, always wanting to keep it on my feet. It’s funny—during the pre-tournament camp for the U21 Euros, I was actually supposed to play further forward, in an 8 or 10 role.”
“But we had a match where we just couldn’t build any effective attacks—we were really struggling. So Carsley dropped me back into the 6 position, and everything changed. Suddenly, we were playing full-throttle, all-action football.”
“I instantly found my rhythm. I could receive the ball from my center-backs and drive forward immediately. It was a completely new experience for me—I hadn’t really played like that at Forest before—but I remember thinking, in those final moments, that I handled it really well.”
You remain deeply connected to Tyneside—your brother Louis plays non-league football there, and you’re often seen cheering from the stands. Another brother, Will, gained minor fame after appearing on the reality show *Love Island*.
“When he first went on the show, I was still at Newcastle; by the time he finished filming, I’d already moved to Nottingham Forest (laughs). He literally asked me, ‘What’s happened here?’”
How do you view your move from Newcastle to Forest?
“I used to come here often—I played for Newcastle’s youth teams on that pitch over there. My dad always said it was a top club with a great history. When I arrived, they showed me everything the club had achieved, and it was truly impressive.”
“If I hadn’t made this move, I wouldn’t be wearing an England shirt. A group of fantastic players and staff helped me get here and showed people what I can do on the pitch—because clearly, I didn’t get many chances to show that at Newcastle. I’m genuinely very grateful.”
Has such a dramatic change been challenging?
“Yeah, I think so. But that’s football, isn’t it? You never know what’s going to happen. Obviously, given how last season ended, no one would’ve predicted this—but it did happen. So everyone’s just trying to adapt.”
“I think our last win against West Ham was really emphatic—it helped us a lot. We’ve got some experienced veterans in the squad.”
“They’re pushing the team every day to raise standards and get us back on track. I feel like I’m part of that group too. Only we can pull ourselves out of tough situations.”
In 2022, you were loaned to Bristol Rovers—what was that situation like?
“I was really struggling to find a loan opportunity, and Joey Barton (then-manager of Bristol Rovers) said he could only sort something in the summer. I was disappointed, but then he added, ‘Let’s just give it a go.’”
“So I went. They told me they’d originally wanted someone else, and since the team was winning, it was hard to break into the starting lineup. That was fine—it was exactly why I needed to step out of my comfort zone and try playing senior football.”
“Then, after the next day’s training session, they thought, ‘Oh, he can actually play.’ I came on at halftime in my first game—an away match against Sutton—and from then on, I was pretty much in the team every week. I never looked back.”
At the time, Barton even nicknamed you “Geordie Maradona”—a label that’s stuck with you ever since.
“That was about my dribbling—something not many people know about. I really enjoyed working under him. He helped me a lot during my time there, treated me well, and gave me a platform to play.”
“Barton’s message to me was always to believe in myself. He’d played once for England and often told me, ‘If I got one cap, you’ll get 100.’ That really motivated me.”
At Newcastle, they say you returned from that loan a different person and player—and within the England setup, they believe you can be a long-term fixture.
“That’s life, isn’t it? When you’re placed in a new environment, it’s natural. I mean, suddenly I was standing in front of players I’d watched on TV—my idols, honestly. Kane, Bellingham.”
“I’d look at these guys and think, ‘Wow, I’m actually training and playing with them.’ I know it sounds a bit starstruck, but it really hits you.”
“Anyway, on day one, Tuchel sat me down and said, ‘Look, you’re here for a reason—I have a plan for you.’ That really helped me relax during training.”
“Obviously, the players around me are so good—they make me look better,Over the past few years,I’ve always admired Bellingham. He’s such an incredible player and a genuinely great person, so I’m really enjoying being part of this group.”
What does it feel like to play for England’s senior team?
“The senior team feels very similar to the U21s—the atmosphere is the same, which helps a lot. But we know we have to bring that vibe onto the pitch and perform.”
This Saturday, Arsenal will visit the City Ground, where you’ll face Declan Rice, your midfield partner with England.
“I like watching his games—seeing how he plays, what kind of patterns he likes, etc. I haven’t stayed in close contact with him; I’m still new to the England setup. But Rice has been a huge help in understanding the role we share.”
“He’s definitely the more attack-minded of the two—playing as an 8, while I’m the 6. I love how he controls the midfield and dictates the game. Every time we play together, it builds our connection.”
At the entrance to England’s St. George’s Park base, the U21 European Championship trophy is displayed behind glass—you pass it every time you attend an international camp.
“I’ve thought about it this summer—it almost feels like a dream. Seeing that trophy just makes me want to win another one.”
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