Anderson reflects on ‘crazy’ journey to England team
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Three Lions midfielder reflects on his rise and making his international tournament debut this summer
This time four years ago, Elliot Anderson says he would not have believed he would be representing England on the world stage in 2026.
Now aged 23, back in 2022 he was at Bristol Rovers, on loan from Newcastle United, when Gareth Southgate led the Three Lions to Qatar.
After a couple of seasons in the Premier League with the Magpies, a move to Nottingham Forest followed in 2024, where he emerged as a standout central midfielder and made a name for himself in the top flight.
He consequently earned an England call-up under Thomas Tuchel a year later and made his Three Lions debut in a win against Andorra in September 2025.
Now a focal point in the England midfield in North America - where he has started both group stage matches - Anderson opened up about his journey to where he is today in the latest episode of Lions’ Den Connected by EE.
My journey is 'crazy'
“It’s crazy, to be honest. It’s all happened pretty quickly, really,” he said on Lions' Den, now available to watch in full on the official England app.
“To think, at the last World Cup, that I’d be playing at the next one, I’d be really surprised, but it’s amazing to be here with the team and playing for your country - it’s a special feeling.”
Asked why he was surprised, he said: “I probably thought I was a long way away [from the England squad], a lot has happened in four years, and I think I’ve improved a lot.”
Anderson featured 43 times in the Premier League for Newcastle before securing a move to Forest, where he has taken his top-flight appearances total to 118.
Making his mark
He has missed just one league game over the last two seasons, showcasing his durability and discipline, which he revealed has been a big part of his journey.
Later in the Lions' Den show, Anderson delved deeper into his journey to the top of the game when he and Dan Burn were asked what the most important thing they had learned from football was.
“[The game] gives you that drive and discipline to stick with it and the sacrifices you have to take over the years.
“There are a lot of sacrifices and it just embeds that discipline in you.”
You can watch all episodes of Lions' Den Connected by EE here.