Elliot Anderson 'in pole position' for England midfield spot at World Cup after sublime UEFA Europa League debut with Nottingham Forest
By Tom Masters
Updated 25/09/2025 at 11:11 GMT+1
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Former England midfielder Joe Cole believes Elliot Anderson is "in pole position" to start for Thomas Tuchel's side at the World Cup next summer, after the 22-year-old caught the eye yet again in Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Real Betis. Igor Jesus netted both goals for Forest, while Antony provided a goal and assist for Betis, but it was Anderson that captured the attention of Cole.
Highlights: Antony strikes late as Forest held
Video credit: TNT Sports
Joe Cole believes Elliot Anderson is in "pole position" to start in the heart of England’s midfield at the World Cup next summer after another stellar display in Nottingham Forest’s UEFA Europa League draw with Real Betis.
Ange Postecoglou’s Forest had to settle for a 2-2 draw late on after Betis’ Brazilian winger Antony scored an 85th minute equaliser.
Igor Jesus had previously put Forest into a 2-1 lead with a quickfire brace after Cedric Bakambu scored the opener for Betis.
But after the game there was only one man on the lips of Cole, who represented England at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups – Anderson.
The 22-year-old was at his usual busy self, with 67 touches on the ball, a number beaten by only Ibrahim Sangare’s 68 for Forest, with four key passes and one big chance created, highlighting his attacking threat.
He was also fouled five times, while his two tackles show the strengths of his all-round game.
It was such a strong performance from the former Newcastle midfielder that Cole believes he has firmly put his hat in the ring to be one of Thomas Tuchel’s main men in the USA next summer.
"I think he plays for England at the World Cup," Cole said on TNT Sports.
"I’ve watched him many times, I see something in him, he is a winner, there was a moment at the Euros, he was dropped for a game at the Under-21s and then he came on and he scored the penalty.
"There was some anger in his face, there was real belief, the way he snaps into tackles, and I am thinking to myself, as a player, I would want Elliot Anderson playing next to me and I think Thomas Tuchel has seen that and I think he has put himself in pole position, I really do."
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'I think he plays for England at the World Cup' - Cole raves about Forest star Anderson
Video credit: TNT Sports
Anderson made his England debut under Tuchel earlier this month in the 2-0 win over Andorra, before an assured display in a 5-0 thumping of Serbia that effectively secured a place at the World Cup.
He thrived for England at the Under-21 Euros in the summer, as England defended their title, scoring a late penalty in the 3-1 win over Spain in the quarter-finals.
His overall performances have captured the eyes of not just Tuchel and Cole though, with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United beginning to circle over his services for next season.
Cole himself admitted he does not see Anderson staying at the City Ground for much longer, such have been his performances for club and country over the past 18 months.
"Forest fans won’t thank me for saying this, but he is not at this club for a long time, I think he is that good," Cole added.
"If he keeps playing like he did tonight, there are a lot of ifs and buts, there’s a long way to go, but if he keeps going on the trajectory that he is going on, the sky is the limit for the kid."
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