Nottingham Forest star set for surprise England call-up as Thomas Tuchel seeks to reward fine form

Tuchel’s admiration for Anderson became evident when the England manager was spotted in the stands during Forest’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The German manager, known for favouring technically gifted midfielders with energy and bite, views Anderson as an ideal addition to his squad as England look to extend their perfect start in World Cup qualifying Group K, as revealed by The Athletic. 

A product of Newcastle United’s academy, Anderson was widely tipped to be a future star at St. James’ Park. However, in June 2024, he completed a surprise switch to Nottingham Forest in a move partly driven by Newcastle’s push to stay compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). While some saw it as a step down, Anderson quickly turned the narrative on its head. In his debut season, he played a starring role as Forest achieved the extraordinary, qualifying for Europe for the first time in three decades.

Born in Newcastle to a Scottish grandmother, he was courted by both England and Scotland. He represented both nations at the youth level before being handed his first Scotland senior call-up in August 2023, only to withdraw due to injury. Since then, he has become a mainstay in England’s Under-21 set-up, playing a key role in last summer’s European Championship success. Operating mostly on the left side of a midfield three in Forest’s 4-2-3-1 system, he has redefined expectations. His driving runs, quick feet, and relentless hunger for the ball have made him indispensable at the City Ground.

England’s campaign resumes on September 6 against Andorra at Villa Park, followed by a tricky away tie against Serbia in Belgrade three days later. Tuchel’s men currently sit top of Group K, having won all three of their opening fixtures. The addition of Anderson adds fresh energy to an already stacked squad, as Tuchel looks to build momentum and secure early qualification for the 2026 World Cup.