Elliot Anderson debuts for England in World Cup qualifier vs Andorra

Elliot Anderson made his senior England debut as a starter on Saturday, coming into Thomas Tuchel's midfield for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra at Villa Park after earning his first callup to the Three Lions. The 22 year old Nottingham Forest midfielder, born in Whitley Bay, was selected alongside Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze as Tuchel continued to experiment with his central options ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Anderson's inclusion followed a busy summer for the midfielder. He moved from Newcastle to Forest in July 2024 and played a key part in the club's seventh place finish and Europa League qualification. That form, and a strong start to the new Premier League season, prompted Tuchel to hand Anderson his maiden senior call. The selection came after Adam Wharton withdrew from the squad and Ruben Loftus-Cheek was drafted in as cover; Tuchel had also lost centreback John Stones to injury and said before the match that England lacked a single, classic deep number six, instead favoring mobile midfielders.

Anderson, who represented Scotland at youth levels through Under 21s before switching his international allegiance to England, has been vocal about his choice. "I'm...