Thomas Tuchel expects Elliot Anderson’s blockbuster £116million move to Manchester City to be wrapped up before England’s next World Cup match. The 23-year-old, who only made his England debut in September last year, has quickly become the beating heart of Tuchel’s midfield.
Anderson shone as the sole anchorman in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama in New Jersey, with Morgan Rogers and man-of-the-match Jude Bellingham ahead of him. The victory saw England finish top of their group, setting up a last-32 clash in Atlanta.
“Tuchel expects Elliot Anderson's £116m Man City transfer to be completed before England's last-32 World Cup match.”
“I think there is a very high chance that the thing is sorted before the round of 32,” Tuchel said of the transfer. The Germany boss was full of praise for the Geordie: “It’s very impressive the way he trains and plays and carries himself. He’s still young and still quite new to our national team, but he just plays like he owns the place! I think he grew into the tournament after a difficult start against Croatia. He gets better and better. It’s good to have him.”
There had been talk Anderson was struggling with muscle tightness before the Panama game, but Tuchel insisted there are no fitness worries. “There are no concerns (regarding his fitness), he gave the green light, the medical gave the green light and he is without any concerns at the moment.”
England’s second-half goals came from Bellingham and Harry Kane, whose bullet header saw him reach 11 World Cup goals, breaking Gary Lineker’s record. But despite the win, the performance was unconvincing, drawing a damning verdict from Roy Keane, as the Three Lions laboured past a stubborn Panama side before clinical finishes sealed the result.
Tuchel’s side now await their round-of-32 opponents, with Anderson’s future expected to be settled before they take the field again.