Anderson's journey to England star and potential British record

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Anderson's journey to England star and potential British recordImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elliot Anderson has become an integral figure in England head coach Thomas Tuchel's World Cup plans. ByPhil McNulty Chief football writer in BostonPublished1 hour agoElliot Anderson was the schoolboy footballer so good his teachers discussed placing a bet on him playing for England. The bet was never made - but Thomas Tuchel is backing him to be a winner at the World Cup.

Anderson's journey from the playing fields of Tyneside to the World Cup stage, and to potentially becoming the most expensive player in British football history, continues when England play Ghana in Boston on Tuesday. The midfielder is the one that painfully got away from Newcastle United but is still revered and respected in his home city as the "quiet and self-effacing" local boy made good. Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe called Anderson's £30m sale to Nottingham Forest in July 2024 "the most reluctant in my career", a deal effectively forced on the Magpies because they feared they were going to break profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and incur a points deduction following years of imbalanced trading The sense of loss has become more acute as the 23-year-old emerged as a central component in England's World Cup plans - head coach Tuchel calls him "the full package" - with a move to Manchester City in the offing, talks ongoing after a deal worth around £120m was rejected by Forest.

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It is also felt by Scotland, who hoped to Anderson would play for the country as he has a Scottish grandmother. He was called up for the Euro 2024 qualifier in Cyprus and a friendly with England in September 2023 having represented the Scots at under-21 and junior level, only to pull out through injury before pledging allegiance to England. It is all a far cry from the young Geordie who used to kick a ball around with his elder brothers before emerging as an outstanding young player at Valley Gardens Middle School, then at the famous Wallsend Boys' Club, where Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick honed their trade.

England v GhanaFifa World Cup 202623 June, 21:00 BST Watch on iPlayer Listen on SoundsWatch on One, iPlayer and the Sport website and app from 20:00 BST and listen to commentary on Radio 5 Live and Sounds. Live text commentary, analysis and video highlights on the Sport website and app. Anderson off the Geordie production lineAnderson's first steps in football came playing with his two elder brothers Louie and Wil, the latter gaining prominence as a contestant on reality TV show Love Island.

Jonathan Roys, Anderson's former English and PE teacher at Valley Gardens, who was also his head of year, told Sport: "His brothers had been through the school and I played against his dad. His brothers were decent, but I think being the youngest of three he was used to getting bossed about a little bit, but he took no quarter off anybody.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.