Elliot Anderson ‘born to be at this level’ but ‘not a shoe-in’ for England 2026 World Cup spot, claim Peter Crouch and Glenn Hoddle
Updated 18/10/2025 at 12:52 GMT+1
Elliot Anderson has broken into the England starting XI under manager Thomas Tuchel as the Nottingham Forest midfielder continues to impress despite Ange Postecoglou's struggles at the City Ground. Former England internationals Peter Crouch and Glenn Hoddle praised the 22-year-old for his performances but do not think he is certain to start at the World Cup next year.
Anderson 'born to be at this level' but 'not a shoo-in' for England
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Glenn Hoddle and Peter Crouch believe Elliot Anderson is a natural in top-flight football but do not think he is a "shoe-in" to start for England at the World Cup next summer.
Anderson has reportedly been attracting interest from sides such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United, amongst others, as he has started the season in excellent form for Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder left Newcastle United last season for a reported fee of £35 million, and Magpies boss Eddie Howe also added that he did not want to sell the player, but did so in order to raise funds to meet Profit and Sustainability Regulation requirements.
Anderson has broken into the England side as a regular under Thomas Tuchel, after making his international debut last month, and could become a midfield fixture in the middle of the pitch for The Three Lions as they prepare for a World Cup 2026 title tilt in North America.
Although Forest have struggled under Ange Postecoglou’s early tenure, Anderson has been a standout performer.
Speaking on TNT Sports before the match between Forest and Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder Hoddle was asked if he had made a midfield spot for England his own yet.
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Hoddle replied: "Not yet, and I think he'll say that himself, to be honest. I think he's done a fantastic job for England in those four games. It's like a whirlwind, as he just said there.
"He'll keep putting in good performances for Forest, and I'm sure Thomas Tuchel is going to have him in mind, but he's not a shoe-in by any means.
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"There's so much competition in the England [squad] for any position, in that England shirt, in the starting XI.
"He's going to have to maintain that consistency. He's done brilliantly. I love the way he plays. I don't think it's a shoe-in yet - there's a real battle for that No. 6 position."
Crouch said he was similarly impressed, but also added that Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace is in contention to take a spot this summer.
"He looks like he’s born to be at this level he's playing at the moment," Crouch began. "I watched him in the under-21s, I was so impressed.
"He is a ball-winner, and he does win the ball. He can win possession, but I think he's a footballer first and foremost.
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"I think he can retain possession. I think at Forest he's their key man, and everything goes through him.
"There's a lot of competition for places in the England squad. There's the lad at Palace, Wharton, who has come into the fold.
"Those two have given themselves a real opportunity to be on the plane now."
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