Elliot Anderson’s former English and PE teacher at Valley Gardens Middle School, Jonathan Roys, once discussed placing a bet on the boy playing for England. The bet was never made – but Thomas Tuchel is backing him to be a winner at the World Cup, and Anderson is now on the verge of becoming the most expensive player in British football history.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who emerged at Wallsend Boys’ Club like Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick, has become an integral part of Tuchel’s England side. The head coach calls him “the full package”. Anderson’s journey continues when England face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, with a move to Manchester City in the offing after talks following a deal worth around £120m was rejected by Nottingham Forest.
“Elliot Anderson is on the verge of a £120m move to Manchester City, after becoming a key England player under Tuchel.”
Anderson’s sale to Forest for £30m in July 2024 was forced on Newcastle United because of profit and sustainability rules. Eddie Howe called it “the most reluctant in my career”. The sense of loss has grown as Anderson emerged as a central component in England’s World Cup plans. Scotland, who hoped Anderson would play for them through a Scottish grandmother, called him up for a Euro 2024 qualifier and a friendly with England in September 2023, only for him to pull out through injury before pledging allegiance to England.
Roys recalled Anderson’s early days: “His brothers had been through the school and I played against his dad. His brothers were decent, but I think being the youngest of three he was used to getting bossed about a little bit, but he took no quarter off anybody. He’d get stuck right in.” Anderson was captain and set a marker for future success at Valley Gardens.
Betting markets reflect faith in Tuchel’s England: Bet365 and Betfair offer 13/2 for England to win the World Cup, joint-best odds. Paddy Power and SkyBet have 6/1, Ladbrokes 11/2. England are joint third-favourites behind France (4/1) and Spain (11/2), level with reigning champions Argentina. Harry Kane is 6/1 for the Golden Boot after scoring twice in a 4-2 win over Croatia, and England are 11/4 to reach the final for the first time since 1966.
The odds for England to qualify from Group L are 1/200. Whether Anderson’s price tag matches England’s chances, the quiet Geordie who used to kick a ball with his brothers – one of whom, Wil, gained prominence on Love Island – is now the one Tuchel trusts to deliver on the World Cup stage.