Elliot Anderson grins as he recalls the prank that left a teammate’s car reeking for weeks. “It was a brand-new car as well,” he says, referencing the Gazza-inspired stunt during his loan at Bristol Rovers. Four years ago, a shy teenager from Whitley Bay walked into a dressing room of big personalities and turbocharged the club to promotion with a decisive header in a 7-0 win on the final day of the League Two season.
“His car stunk of fish for weeks,” Anderson notes, though he played no part in the escapade. “It was a really good laugh and there was a great atmosphere within the team. It was something I hadn’t experienced at the time. It was sort of the start of my career. It took me out of my comfort zone, living away from home, and I got that chance to play men’s football. It was a huge part of my learning and I loved every minute.”
Fast-forward two years, and Anderson left Newcastle for Nottingham Forest in a £35m bargain move. Now a Premier League powerhouse, he’s in line to start for England at the World Cup. When he first arrived at Rovers, the supporters club hesitated to give him the No 12 shirt usually allocated to them. Players were amazed by his ability in his first session, and the chief executive, Tom Gorringe, assured fans the loanee would play for England.
“It didn’t go down too well at the time but I think it did after how things played out,” Anderson says. He sang Sweet Caroline at the team hotel before his Rovers debut at Sutton, and now, at 23, he’s one of the faces of the Three Lions, selected with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, and Jordan Pickford to model the new England kits.
“Yeah, it’s pretty crazy,” Anderson admits. “Obviously it’s normal for them, but for me it was quite surreal, really, and I think it shows I’m an important part. The last World Cup or the last Euros, I was just sort of watching on as a fan. I didn’t really expect to be at the next major tournament – well, hopefully I am. It would be a dream come true.”
He followed the last World Cup on holiday in Dubai while the Premier League was on hold, just starting to make a mark at Newcastle but yet to start a top-flight match. For the 2018 World Cup, he was at home on Tyneside. “[Kieran] Trippier’s free-kick [in the semi-final against Croatia]? I really remember that well because I was in a pub with my dad, my mum and my brothers, around the corner from my house and I just remember his shot hitting the net and the pub erupting. That was quality.”
Anderson has started every top-flight game for Forest this season, cementing himself as a fixture in Thomas Tuchel’s England side since his debut in September. He’s started four of England’s past five competitive games and seems increasingly likely to line up against Croatia on 17 June, England’s Group L opener. “[Luka] Modric is unbelievable, I’ve always loved watching him, the creative side of his game is something I’m trying to do,” he says.
The stats back up the hype. According to the Premier League, Anderson has won more duels than any other player in the division (254, with João Gomes next among midfielders at 184) and had the most touches (2,780), a mantle usually reserved for ball-playing centre-backs. No midfielder has registered more passes (2,002), and only James Garner and João Palhinha have made more tackles. Per FBref, he’s drawn more fouls than any player in the league (68).
“I’ve got Sky Sports on quite a lot and they pop up on the side, all those stats,” Anderson says with a smile. On his improvements: “Maybe just influencing games a little bit more, trying to take control of the game. I would like to get myself more goals and assists, but hopefully that’ll come. I feel like I’ve sort of nailed a position. I know I did it last season but I have found myself really comfortable in centre-mid, No 6, No 8.”
Forest’s 3-0 victory at Tottenham in their last league game boosted their survival hopes. “We know we’re a good side, but sometimes when you’re not picking up the results you start to feel that extra pressure … It was just a huge relief really to remind everyone and remind ourselves of what we can do. We can really attack these games coming up and I’m confident we can get ourselves out of it.”
Off the pitch, Anderson installed a hyperbaric chamber, red-light sauna, and ice bath at home in Nottingham last October. “It’s a little bit of a hobby of mine at the minute,” he says. “Touch wood, I’ve noticed that I feel fitter this season, I haven’t really picked up any injuries, so I’ve been available, which is a really important part of being a player. I’ll be in my chamber five days a week. I do an hour and a half a day, usually about 5pm, just before dinner.”
He keeps things normal by walking his dogs, a German shepherd named Obi and a dachshund named Leo, and playing golf with teammates. “Macca [James McAtee] is the best. I’ll be sticking the Masters on this weekend, so that will be good.”
At Rovers, Anderson is considered the best player to have worn their blue and white quarters. The club pounced after Luton pulled out, with the deal happening so late he didn’t undergo a medical. Rovers paid Newcastle about £200 a week for a player who contributed six assists and seven goals, including the crucial header against Scunthorpe.
“A few of the lads still had their strips on. Having to win 7-0, me scoring the seventh … I don’t think a scenario like that will probably ever happen again.” On surreal moments: “Probably playing for England, playing at Wembley. I went to Wembley as a kid with my brothers to watch England v Spain. Every time I’ve done it – and I’ve only done it twice – playing at Wembley for England is very special. Yeah, it doesn’t get any more normal each time you do it,” he says with a smile.
