Nottingham Forest concerns about Elliot Anderson to grow after what Thomas Tuchel has said
Elliot Anderson’s future at Nottingham Forest could now be even more uncertain following a revelation on Thomas Tuchel’s thoughts about him.
Elliot Anderson has been a key man throughout Nottingham Forest‘s recent upturn in fortunes since a £35million move from boyhood club Newcastle in July 2024.
He made 37 Premier League appearances last term, with two goals and six assists as they eventually finished in seventh place, and Forest were fearful they’d need to sell Anderson this summer amid PSR concerns.
His form has improved even further this term, with Thomas Tuchel handing him his England debut last month and Man City believed to be tracking Anderson’s services.
Football Insider recently revealed that Anderson is Man United’s top midfield target ahead of the January window too, and Forest’s fears of him potentially leaving will only be set to grow after new quotes from the Three Lions boss.
Tuchel says Anderson is ‘elite’ and ‘one of the best’ in the Premier League
Anderson has started all 11 of Forest’s Premier League games so far this season, and he has been picked from the off in England’s last four games since his debut in September.
Tuchel clearly rates him as someone who could be set to start at next year’s World Cup in the middle of the park, and he issued the 23-year-old some high praise when asked why he had stuck with him up to now ahead of England’s upcoming games.
He said: “At the moment he is a key player for us. At the moment he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
“That’s why he is with us and why he starts for us, because he deserves it. He is nothing but impressive and he has to keep on going.
“He is a very complete, mobile central midfielder. Elliot at the moment is an elite football player with the right attitude and talent.”
Those kinds of quotes from a manager with Tuchel’s pedigree should obviously not be taken lightly, and Forest must be concerned that his thoughts on Anderson’s quality and potential are shared by fellow top managers.
If the German boss keeps heaping praise on the midfielder, then those at the City Ground may well be resigned to his exit at some point soon.
Forest do not want to lose Anderson in January
Anderson’s rapid rise to the top this season has been summed up by his performances for England, with four wins and no goals conceded since he entered the team next to Rice.
Football Insider recently revealed that Liverpool are also interested in Anderson alongside their north-west rivals, and there will be no shortage of suitors when the new year rolls around.
Despite Sean Dyche‘s decent job since he was appointed, the Reds are still languishing in 19th in the Premier League and need to quickly get away from the bottom three before a battle commences towards the end of the season.
It should come as little surprise that Anderson is critical to Dyche’s plans this season, and so losing his services in January is not something they will entertain as it would be a monumental blow to their chances of moving up the table.