"He's the full package." That's Thomas Tuchel on Elliot Anderson, and right now those four words are costing Nottingham Forest fans sleep.
England's manager made no attempt to hide his admiration for the 23-year-old after the Three Lions' warm-up win over Costa Rica, describing him as a "top player" and a "humble, determined, hungry football player." Tuchel was on to Anderson before the wider football world caught up — and the wider football world has now very much caught up.
What Anderson actually did this season
The numbers from Anderson's latest Premier League campaign are worth sitting with. Most touches in the division: 3,300. Most duels won: 297. Most possessions won: 306. Most fouls won: 80. He produced those figures for a Forest side that was struggling — not a team built around making midfielders look tidy. That's carrying a team, not just contributing to one.
He's since formed a genuine partnership with Declan Rice for England and is set to be central to their World Cup campaign in North America. First up: Croatia, next Wednesday.
Tuchel did offer one quiet caveat amid the praise — a gentle warning that Anderson shouldn't "change" if a big transfer materialises. "Nothing will change overnight with him if he wakes up, he's not a new player," he said. Motivational? Maybe. But it also tells you Tuchel sees the move as inevitable.
Man City lead, but Forest are digging in
Manchester City have reportedly put a bid on the table worth up to £120m ($161m), with £15m of that tied to performance add-ons. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis wants more guaranteed up front. Manchester United are watching, but City are significantly further along.
The fee would be a British record, and Tuchel was direct about what that means for the player: "People will try to hang around his neck this price but, in reality, nothing changes, he just changes the club."
For City, the urgency is obvious. Bernardo Silva looks Real Madrid-bound. Tijjani Reijnders' future is uncertain. Nico González, signed only in January 2025, could already be leaving. Rodri may stay after Real Madrid cooled their interest, but the midfield is being rebuilt around him — and Anderson is the marquee piece Enzo Maresca wants to build around. Sandro Tonali is also being shortlisted, but Anderson is the priority.
Forest's asking price and City's structure are the sticking point. Given Anderson is about to play a World Cup in front of a global audience, Forest's leverage isn't going anywhere soon.
