Elliot Anderson's teachers once debated whether to place a bet on him playing for England one day. They never followed through — but Thomas Tuchel has no such hesitation, naming the 23-year-old midfielder a cornerstone of England's World Cup campaign.

Anderson lines up against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, with discussions over a potential £120m move to Manchester City still ongoing after Nottingham Forest rejected that offer. Should a deal exceed the £125m paid for Alexander Isak, Anderson would become the most expensive player in British football history.

Off the Geordie production line

Anderson grew up on Tyneside playing football with his two older brothers, Louie and Wil — the latter later known to television audiences through the reality show Love Island. His footballing education began in earnest at Valley Gardens Middle School before he moved on to Wallsend Boys' Club, the storied north-east academy that also shaped Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, and Michael Carrick.

Jonathan Roys, who was Anderson's English and PE teacher and head of year at Valley Gardens, recalled a boy who was humble, diligent, and unmistakably gifted.