Sports
‘Sublime’ Elliot Anderson Must Start at 2026 World Cup
Supporters have told manager Thomas Tuchel that one England player must start at the 2026 World Cup following his excellent performance in their 2-0 win against Serbia.
Although Tuchel put a strong team out, it was anything but plain sailing for the Three Lions, who faced a more dogged Serbian defence compared to the one they thumped 5-0 back in September. The hosts dominated possession, but were made to work for clear-cut chances.
They were rewarded in the 29th minute, when Bukayo Saka volleyed home after Nico O’Reilly’s effort kindly deflected into his path. Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford also had opportunities to add to the hosts’ lead, but neither could take their chances.
Serbia crafted opportunities of their own and nearly made England pay for their lack of cutting edge on several occasions. But substitute Eberechi Eze was on hand to wrap up the game when his fierce strike found the top corner of the net.
With plenty of positive appearances across the board, it makes Tuchel’s job of deciding who should be selected for the squad next summer that much harder. But one player in particular underlined exactly why he should be starting every match for the Three Lions.
Elliot Anderson Excellent Again for England
Although Declan Rice has been a shoe-in for England through the years, finding the perfect partner for the Arsenal man has been something of a challenge. Kobbie Mainoo, Adam Wharton and even Trent Alexander-Arnold have had chances in the midfield pivot, but Elliot Anderson has made that position his own in 2025.
His performances in the engine room for Nottingham Forest earned him a first senior cap against Andorra in September, and the 23-year-old has not looked back since then. And it was more of the same from Anderson on Thursday night against Serbia.
Praised before the match as “the water carrier” of Tuchel’s set-up, Anderson linked defence and attack well while providing a calmness in midfield that the hosts needed at times. Completing 76 of his 82 passes on the night, he got on the ball frequently and helped push the team forward, occasionally putting his role of lynchpin to one side and getting into the penalty area to add extra threat.
Check Out Anderson’s Match Statistics Below:
|
Elliot Anderson’s Stats During England 2-0 Serbia |
|
|---|---|
|
Key Passes |
1 |
|
Accurate Passes |
76/82 |
|
Touches |
95 |
|
Possession Lost |
10 |
|
Tackles (Won) |
2 (2) |
|
Recoveries |
6 |
|
Ground Duels (Won) |
12 (6) |
|
Aerial Duels (Won) |
4 (2) |
|
Fouls |
3 |
|
Dribbled Past |
1 |
Over the course of 85 minutes, he was combative on the pitch, but only gave away three fouls and was dribbled past on just the solitary occasion. ITV Commentator Lee Dixon was especially impressed on the night, describing how the Tricky Trees midfielder should be one of “the first names on the teamsheet.” And esteemed football journalist Henry Winter added further praise, stating how he looks “impressive” alongside Rice.
Fans Sing Anderson’s Praises
Fans were also quick to give Anderson the compliments that his display against Serbia deserved. One wrote: “Yeah fair play Anderson, that World Cup starting 11 is yours.”
That was echoed by many others. While one England fan stated, “Elliot Anderson starts for England at the World Cup, so important to that midfield, and Tuchel clearly loves him. What a player,” another added, “Elliot Anderson already on the plane for next years World Cup.”
One more fan summed up his performance, hailing him as “sublime.” They wrote: “Elliott Anderson is a sublime CDM. Always wants the ball, great touch, quick to a forward pass, follows the ball and creates angles, always an option and has legs. Won’t ever light up the world but will glue a team together nicely.”
Liverpool could be set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets, with PSG now leading the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Reds are preparing for a big summer window after a disappointing season in the Premier League.
Liverpool are also entering a new era after it was confirmed that Andoni Iraola would take over from Arne Slot ahead of the new season.
The Merseyside club will be looking to back the new manager with reinforcements, especially with the former Bournemouth boss having a unique style of play.
Iraola style is more high-pressing and energetic than Slot, which could require different profiles of players.
It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Liverpool, but they already appear to be missing out on targets.
Fabrizio Romano: Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race to Sign ‘Ridiculous’ Star
Man City are keen on the midfielder.
Liverpool Behind in Race for Star
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain are now leading the race ahead of two Premier League clubs for Monaco talent Maghnes Akliouche.
Reports claimed earlier this year that Liverpool were showing strong interest in signing the French star in a deal worth around £60 million.
Akliouche, described as ‘insane’, is expected to move this summer, with ‘talks and approaches intensifying’, according to Romano.
Monaco expect bids for Akliouche soon, and it remains to be seen where he will end up.
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England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Liverpool May Have Other Priorities Now
Liverpool appear to have other priorities in the summer transfer window ahead of the likes of Akliouche.
The Reds are pushing to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who also has interest from PSG, and he has already agreed personal terms to join the club.
Liverpool have already seen an offer in the region of €100 million rejected for Diomande. The offer was €80 million plus €20 million in add-ons, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
The Reds are looking to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer. Diomande has been identified as the ideal option.
Alexander Isak is currently competing in his first-ever World Cup tournament this summer, but has another country’s flag on his boots. Liverpool’s British transfer fee record signing has looked much more like himself so far this tournament, with one goal and three assists in three appearances meaning he ranks among the best performers based on stats.
Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan in their final match to set up an unenviable Round of 32 tie with France, who are among the favourites for glory come July 19. In that crunch fixture, Isak is likely to come up against Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but there’s no reason for him not to believe he can go toe-to-toe with them alongside Viktor Gyokeres.
Eagle-eyed supporters watching Tuesday night’s action might be keen to spot which flag Isak wears on his boots ahead of the iconic blue and yellow Swedish emblem. There’s a reason behind it.
Which Flag Alexander Isak Wears on his Boots – And Why
Isak is proud of his heritage and has the Eritrean flag on his boots. The flag has been seen on Isak’s right Adidas boot in both World Cup games. Though he was born in Solna, just north of capital Stockholm, Isak’s parents are from Eritrea in Horn of Africa and moved to Sweden. Speaking in an interview with Alan Shearer, he said:
“Even though I grew up in Sweden, there is a big Eritrean community. I was always around, and raised, in that type of environment. I haven’t been there many times lately, but last time I was there, it was a really good experience. I don’t think there are too many idols they have within the sports world.”
He visited a football school during a trip to Eritrea, where he was mobbed by young children who look up to him. The country marked its 35th Independence Day in May after decades of struggle, and Isak wore an Eritrea shirt to send a celebratory message.
Located on the Red Sea coast, Eritrea borders Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The country gained independence in 1993 after a long war of liberation.
Isak represented Sweden at youth level before making his senior debut in 2017, ultimately committing his international future to the Scandinavian nation. Although he was also eligible to play for Eritrea, the national team had endured a long absence from major continental competition, going close to two decades without an Africa Cup of Nations appearance.
Their return to competitive action in March this year marked a rare bright moment, as they beat Eswatini 2-0 in a qualifier staged in Morocco due to a lack of suitable infrastructure in Eritrea. They followed that up with a 2-1 win in the return leg, results that finally earned the nation an official FIFA world ranking after years of inactivity.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings List
The latest international rankings have been revealed – Spain have been dethroned ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Before those victories, Eritrea had been the only unranked side in the system. Their earlier absence from qualifiers, including withdrawals from 2026 World Cup qualifying, left them in a unique position within the rankings. Reporting has previously suggested that repeated pullouts were linked in part to concerns over players seeking asylum while travelling abroad for international fixtures.
Since 2007, it is estimated that dozens of players and coaching staff have left the national setup during overseas trips, according to UN figures. More recently, Eritrea sit around 184th in the FIFA rankings, though that position could improve if they maintain consistent participation and results moving forward.
Manchester City have now entered the race to beat Liverpool and Arsenal to a signing in the summer transfer window.
It’s already looking like a summer transfer window where the top clubs in the Premier League are all competing for similar targets.
The midfield market is going crazy at the moment, and it seems every top-six side in the Premier League is pushing to add another body in the middle of the park.
Clubs will always be fearful when a side like Manchester City enters the race, as they certainly aren’t afraid to splash the cash in the market.
Man City are already pushing to bring in a new midfielder, with reports confirming that they have now agreed a deal to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.
City are preparing for life under a new manager, with GIVEMESPORT sources confirming that Enzo Maresca will replace Pep Guardiola, although his appointment is yet to be confirmed.
Man City Make Enquiry for Star Who’s Already Agreed to Join Arsenal
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Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race
Enzo Maresca
According to Fabrizio Romano on YouTube, Manchester City have entered the race to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
“Manchester City have a genuine interest in Bouaddi. He’s one of the players being considered by Manchester City, eventually for summer 2027. The starting idea, then lets see how conversations develop, could be to go for the player in 2027.”
The Premier League side want to sign the Moroccan international in 2027 rather than now, and they face competition from both Arsenal and Liverpool.
“Arsenal and Liverpool had meetings before the World Cup for this boy. Both clubs were already tracking him. Manchester City are in the conversation for 2027.”
Whether Manchester City not being keen until 2027 impacts Bouaddi’s future remains to be seen, as Arsenal or Liverpool could make a move in the summer of 2026.
Another season playing regularly in Ligue 1 might not be bad for Bouaddi’s development before making the move to Man City next summer.
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England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Man City Could Miss Out on Bouaddi
Manchester City could miss out on the signing of Bouaddi, described as a ridiculous talent, in the summer of 2027, as there’s a strong chance that Arsenal or Liverpool make a move this year.
If Liverpool and Arsenal know that Man City have an interest, they might want to make a move quickly in order to get ahead in the race.
Bouaddi is already enjoying a strong World Cup for Morocco, so there is every chance that another club enters the race to secure his signature.
This could make it difficult for City to beat the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature, especially if he is keen on making a move in the coming weeks and months.
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