A remarkable journey is set to culminate today for Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder reportedly in line for his first senior England call-up.
🚨 EXCL: Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson set to earn first call-up to England senior squad. 22yo rewarded for #NFFC form with inclusion by #ENG boss Thomas Tuchel for 2026 World Cup qualifiers vs Andorra & Serbia. W/ @DTathletic @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/mgy4IvOvzF
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 29, 2025
The news, coming just hours before Thomas Tuchel names his squad for the September World Cup qualifiers, is a testament to Anderson's stunning form and his ability to thrive after a difficult departure from his boyhood club, Newcastle United.
The 22-year-old's inclusion comes as no surprise to those who have followed his recent trajectory.
Anderson was a key figure in England's Under-21 European Championship success this summer.
That form has seamlessly carried over to the new Premier League season, with Anderson catching the eye all season.
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Anderson's call-up is well-timed for an England team grappling with midfield injuries.
With Jude Bellingham absent following shoulder surgery and James Maddison sidelined with an ACL injury, a spot has opened up for a dynamic midfielder.
However, the story is also a bittersweet one for Newcastle fans.
Anderson, a Newcastle academy graduate, was sold to Nottingham Forest last summer for a fee that allowed the Magpies to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Anderson himself has admitted that "it definitely was [a shock]" to leave his boyhood club, but he has since stated that the move has "really benefitted me as a player."
His success at Forest is a stark reminder of the realities of modern football, where a club's financial situation can force difficult decisions.
For Anderson, it's a testament to his character that he has taken this opportunity and flourished.
As he prepares to join the England squad for the first time, he will do so as a player who has earned his place, not through a simple call-up, but through a remarkable journey that saw him leave home to chase his dreams.
Nottingham Forest and related links
- Nottingham Forest in 'total agreement' with Man City to sign their academy graduate
- Why Nottingham Forest decided against selling Morgan Gibbs-White to Tottenham
- Nottingham Forest set their sights on £30m Chelsea player