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Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was known for his sharp wit, but one of his most memorable quotes perfectly captures how a football team functions: “A football team is like a piano – you need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.” In today’s international football, that statement feels more relevant than ever.

To win a World Cup, a team usually needs one or two extraordinary talents. Spain demonstrated that in 2024 with Lamine Yamal and Pedri leading the way, while Argentina’s 2022 triumph was built around Lionel Messi and his supporting cast. France, on the other hand, fell just short despite Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance.

In essence, modern international football is straightforward: find the virtuosos who can play the piano and make sure the rest can carry it effectively – ideally, those carriers can play a little themselves too.

Enter Elliot Anderson. He may not be the dazzling star who steals the spotlight, but he’s invaluable in holding the team together. For England this summer, he could be the pivotal figure in Thomas Tuchel’s pursuit of World Cup glory.

England’s connecting force

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are England’s headline acts – their goals, assists, and inspiration are expected to carry the Three Lions forward. Yet, around them, Tuchel has been carefully constructing a system that relies on strong connective players, ensuring balance across the pitch.

At the start of the season, there was a noticeable gap in midfield alongside Declan Rice. Anderson was handed a chance against Andorra in September, and he seized it. Since then, the shirt has been his, such has been his impressive adaptation to the England setup.

As a Nottingham Forest player, Anderson doesn’t command daily headlines, but that may change this summer if he continues to perform at the elite level he has shown. His quiet consistency could make him one of England’s most important assets.

A unique journey

Anderson’s path to international prominence has been anything but conventional. A Newcastle academy graduate, he went on loan to Bristol Rovers in League Two in 2022, struggling to break into the Magpies’ first team even as they hovered near the bottom of the Premier League. He eventually departed St. James’ Park in 2024 for Nottingham Forest in a surprising £35 million deal, as Newcastle aimed to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Internationally, Anderson represented Scotland at youth level and was even called up to their senior squad in August 2023 before withdrawing due to injury. A year later, he switched allegiance to England, starring for the Under-21s during the U21 Euros, where he made the team of the tournament as Lee Carsley’s side lifted the trophy.

Finding his role

During his early years at Newcastle and in his debut season at Forest, Anderson often operated as an attacking No.8 or No.10. Ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, Forest opted to deploy him in a deeper midfield role to accommodate Morgan Gibbs-White’s attacking instincts.

The 23-year-old thrived. No player made more touches or won more duels in the Premier League last season. His 289 duels across 38 appearances were unmatched. He completed 2,080 passes – more than any midfielder – surpassing the likes of Bernardo Silva, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Declan Rice. Only Everton’s James Garner covered more distance than his 411 kilometres. Statistically, Anderson became the heartbeat of Forest’s midfield.

As he put it himself in an April interview with The Guardian, “I feel like I’ve sort of nailed a position. I know I did it last season, but I have found myself really comfortable in centre-mid, No.6, No.8.”

Tuchel’s trusted man

Tuchel has been full of praise for Anderson’s influence alongside Rice in England’s midfield. “Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,” he said last winter. “He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – that’s why he is with us and starting for us. He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that’s what he keeps showing me.”

Anderson’s presence allows Rice to push forward and frees Bellingham from some defensive duties. His composure, passing range, and ability to recycle possession make England’s build-up play smoother. As a deep-lying No.6 who can progress the ball and recover it if lost, Anderson fits the ideal profile.

The Mainoo factor

Not long ago, this was supposed to be Kobbie Mainoo’s role. The Manchester United youngster impressed in late 2023-24 and was tipped for a starting spot at Euro 2024. However, Gareth Southgate’s experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield faltered before Mainoo eventually earned his chance in the knockout rounds. Despite England reaching the final, few performed consistently well – Mainoo being a rare exception.

Two years later, Mainoo’s situation changed. Falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, he was close to leaving United in January. Michael Carrick’s arrival revived his club career, earning him a recall to the England squad. Yet, Anderson has now taken his place in the starting lineup.

Future in demand

Ironically, Anderson and Mainoo may soon be teammates at club level. Reports suggest both Manchester clubs are vying for Anderson’s signature, with Forest valuing him above the £105 million Arsenal paid for Rice in 2023. Manchester City have already lodged an offer, though his versatility makes him a fit for either side.

While City might have seemed the natural destination before Pep Guardiola’s departure, uncertainty now surrounds Enzo Maresca’s incoming system. United, on the other hand, offer tradition, stardom, and the allure of being the next great English midfielder at Old Trafford.

Before any transfer materialises, though, Anderson has a World Cup to focus on – the ultimate platform to prove why he is being considered England’s next £100 million man. Over the next six weeks, he has the chance to transform from a reliable piano carrier into the orchestra’s maestro.