Elliot Anderson shares ‘final’ England message away from Nottingham Forest
England Under-21s coach Lee Carsley will hope that Elliot Anderson can capitalise on his breakout season with Nottingham Forest.
Forest defied all expectations to lodge themselves firmly in the European conversation throughout last season, and occupied the Champions League places for much of the campaign before a late drop-off.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side still did enough to play on the continent next term and will feature in the UEFA Conference League following their surprise march up the table, which resulted in a seventh-placed finish.
Several of Forest’s unfancied players put in career-best form to shock the entire Premier League, and midfielder enforcer Anderson was no different after his controversial £35million move from Newcastle.
Anderson reacts to England message ahead of Germany showdown
Anderson’s form and versatility in Forest’s midfield turned plenty of heads last season, to the extent that many Newcastle fans regretted their club’s decision to sell the 22-year-old thanks to PSR pressures.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider in March that Newcastle should look to re-sign the “sensational” Anderson this summer, but his full focus at present is on international duty.
Forest’s number eight took to his Instagram story (17 June) to share a message from England’s official account, ahead of their Under-21 Euros group stage fixture against arch-rivals Germany on Wednesday.
Lee Carsley’s side underwhelmed in a 0-0 draw with Slovenia which leaves them two points behind Germany going into their top-of-the-table clash, and England’s message said: “Final prep before our Young Lions’ final U21 Euro Group B game – against Germany!”
Anderson’s place assured as Nottingham Forest prepare transfers
European football next season will require Evangelos Marinakis to provide Nuno with a bigger, deeper squad at the City Ground, even though they missed out on a £70m windfall from the Champions League.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s future is under scrutiny after his own breakout season, but Forest have been given a boost after Football Insider revealed that Man City are no longer interested in their number 10.
James McAtee could make a move the other way this summer, and given his pre-existing relationship with England Under-21s team-mate Anderson , McAtee is one potential arrival who may hit the ground running.