Pundit Danny Mills questions Elliot Anderson’s England role amid £100m Manchester transfer links

Posted : 29 March 2026

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills has raised serious doubts regarding Elliot Anderson's suitability for England’s starting lineup ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sunday Edition, Mills questioned if the Nottingham Forest midfielder possesses the international quality required to win a major trophy. Despite England’s perfect qualification record under Thomas Tuchel, the pundit suggested that certain positions in the midfield remains a cause for concern.

Anderson has seen his stock rise significantly this season, with both Manchester City and Manchester United reportedly prepared to pay £100 million for his services. The young midfielder is widely expected to partner Declan Rice in a 4-2-3-1 formation when the tournament begins in North America. However, Mills remains unconvinced by this selection and argued that the player is currently a long way from being the best in his position nationally.

The discussion also touched upon the tactical difficulty of integrating high-profile stars into the national setup. Mills highlighted Phil Foden’s recent struggles during England's 1-1 draw with Uruguay as a primary example of this issue. He noted that players used to specific club systems, particularly under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, often find it difficult to replicate that form in a different tactical environment with England.

Alternative options for the holding midfield role were also debated, with Adam Wharton mentioned as a potential candidate to partner Rice. Mills emphasized that the sheer variety of systems played by England's stars at their respective clubs makes it difficult for Tuchel to find a cohesive rhythm. He suggested that the lack of tactical familiarity was evident in the laborious performance against Uruguay on Friday night.

England are currently among the favorites for the upcoming World Cup after winning all eight of their qualifying matches without conceding a single goal. While the defensive record is impeccable, the debate over the midfield balance continues to intensify as the tournament approach. Thomas Tuchel now faces the challenge of finalising his squad depth before the Three Lions host Japan on Tuesday night.

The pressure on Anderson is likely to grow as the summer transfer window nears and his price tag continues to dominate headlines. Whether he can silence critics like Mills will depend on his performances in the final warm-up fixtures. For now, the debate over whether to prioritize potential stars like Wharton over established names remains a central theme for the national team.

Pundit Danny Mills questions Elliot Anderson’s England role amid £100m Manchester transfer links

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