Anderson off the Geordie production line
- Published
Elliot 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 and Manchester City are doing the same after agreeing a club record £116m to sign him from Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder is the one that painfully got away from Newcastle United, but he is still revered and respected in his home city as the "quiet and self-effacing" local boy made good.
After making his international debut against Andorra in September 2025, the 23-year-old emerged as a central component in England's World Cup plans, with head coach Tuchel calling him "the full package", and he is on course to assume the same role at City once the transfer formalities are completed.
Anderson'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.
His parents, Iain and Helen, ensured studying was never sidelined, with lessons organised around time at Newcastle United's academy, his beloved club that he was always destined to join.
Jonathan Roys, Anderson's former English and PE teacher, told BBC Sport he was not surprised by his progress: "Elliot was a very hard-working and determined lad. He was very good at athletics, cross country, indoor events - and he represented the school in cricket.
"It was football for him, though. We put him in midfield as he was our best player, although he actually also even played in goal for us once when we played Wallsend Boys Club.
"He is a real inspiration to the new generation. Everyone is proud of him."