Thomas Tuchel has reinforced exactly why Newcastle United fans are dreaming of re-signing Elliot Anderson.
That is something that the club would like too, with Geordie Boot Boys recently reporting that Newcastle United want to re-sign Elliot Anderson in the future after selling him to Nottingham Forest for £35million in 2024.
To add even more intrigue to the situation, it has been reported that Anderson would like to return to Newcastle United. That will be music to the ears of the Toon Army, although it is not to say he is pushing for a move away from the City Ground.
Right now, Anderson’s focus is keeping Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and retaining his place in the England starting XI ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
He currently feels likely to start for the Three Lions next summer, with England boss Thomas Tuchel showering the 23-year-old with praise ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
Thomas Tuchel says Elliot Anderson is ‘elite’ right now
While England have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, they still have a couple more qualifiers to play.
Anderson is expected to feature in both games, with Tuchel describing him as a ‘key player’ for his side. In fact, Tuchel has taken his admiration a step further.
“At the moment he [Anderson] is a key player for us and at the moment he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League,” he said.
“That’s why he is with us and why he starts for us, because he deserves it.
“He is nothing but impressive and he has to keep on going. He is a very complete, mobile central midfielder and that’s what he shows but he has a long career ahead of him and there are no guarantees – at least not publicly, for the World Cup.
“It doesn’t help in November to give predictions and guarantees. It is about competition. It is elite football and Elliot at the moment is an elite football player with the right attitude and talent.”
Tuchel says Anderson is an ‘elite’ player, and that is exactly what Newcastle United need as they continue their evolution.
Having once been their strongest asset, midfield has become a problem for Eddie Howe. The main issue is Joelinton, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali very much undroppable.
There is a need for the Magpies to level up in that area of the pitch, with Anderson a perfect replacement for Joelinton.
Why Newcastle United will not re-sign Elliot Anderson in January
But while Anderson returning to St James’ Park would lift the mood on Tyneside, there is almost certainly no chance of him making that move in January.
It has been reported that Anderson could cost more than £100million, which would eclipse the £69million that Newcastle spent on Nick Woltemade. It would make him Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever.
There is simply no way that the Magpies are going to spend that kind of money in January. It is not a window that PIF often do business in, with Anthony Gordon the last major arrival during that month.
Anderson might be a dream signing for Newcastle United, but it is not a dream that will come true in the first month of 2026.
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