Elliot Anderson has firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders, and the past three weeks have highlighted not only his rare talent but also the remarkable strength of character he possesses.
The midfielder’s equalizer against his former club Newcastle United earned Nottingham Forest a crucial point on Sunday, a feat made even more commendable given the personal tragedy he has endured. His mother, Helen, passed away last month, and Anderson laid a wreath on the pitch prior to Forest’s victory against Burnley in April.
Since then, he has scored against Sunderland and, just 48 hours after his mother’s funeral, netted the equalizer on Sunday—a goal that moved Forest to the brink of Premier League safety, confirmed three hours later when West Ham United fell to Arsenal.
Anderson returned from the northeast of England to face Newcastle following his mother’s funeral on Friday, a day after Forest’s Europa League semi-final exit to Aston Villa. He had already scored in the 5-0 win at Sunderland last month, continuing to deliver for his team.
“It did mean a lot—a few things going on recently, so it felt really nice,” Anderson told Sky Sports. “We’ve made a U-turn and done really well. The manager is brilliant and we’re all behind him. It was a tough game in midweek but as the manager said, this group is full of fighters. Four managers has not been easy but we’ve all stuck together and fought for each other.”
Manager Vitor Pereira praised the midfielder’s courage after his fourth goal of the season following an emotional week. “It’s difficult for me and I believe everybody can understand what he’s feeling inside,” Pereira said. “But in the end I believe that he honors his mother, going on the pitch and running until the last breath. I think he wants a lot to score a goal, and he believes until the end. He’s a very, very talented player but is a strong, strong character. If not, it’s not possible.”
Anderson has become a regular for England this season, earning seven caps, and is certain to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s trusted squad for the World Cup. Manchester United and Manchester City have him high on their summer wish list, and Forest will struggle to retain him with no European football next season.
“I don’t have the answer,” said Pereira when asked about Anderson’s future. “I know he deserves the top of the world. But he’s our player. We need to enjoy him. Sometimes I work with top, talented players, but to find a top player with this character is not easy. I’m not thinking about next season. I’m thinking about finishing this season in the best position we can.”
Forest are certain to make a huge profit on the 23-year-old, who cost £35m when he moved from St James’ Park. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told Match of the Day: “The unfortunate thing for Forest is that there is no way they can keep him this summer, he has been that good. He is going to start for England at the World Cup, and he is going to have loads of suitors—the only question is where he will end up, not whether he will leave.”
The Europa League defeat against Villa hurt the squad, and Anderson struggled to make an impact despite dominating Forest’s first-leg 1-0 win. It was their chance to end a 36-year silverware drought and reach a first major European final since the legendary Brian Clough side claimed successive European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980. The squad needed a result to bounce back, and trailing to Harvey Barnes’ goal, defeat loomed. But Anderson seized his moment—just his fourth goal of the season.
