ELLIOT ANDERSON used to have the great Paul Gascoigne watch his games as a kid.
Now he wants to be the modern-day Geordie midfield sensation who lights up a World Cup for England, 36 years on from Gazza’s star turn at Italia ‘90.
Anderson, 23, was born in Whitley Bay in the North East and played for renowned Tyneside youth outfit Wallsend Boys Club, whose alumni include Alan Shearer, Michael Carrick and Peter Beardsley.
There the Nottingham Forest star was in the same team as Gazza’s nephew Cameron Gascoigne, who is currently battling relegation with non-leaguers Blyth Town.
Cameron’s famous uncle would regularly be in the crowd to see him and Anderson play, before the pair joined Newcastle’s academy.
Anderson has his own drop-zone scrap to contend with at Forest in the Premier League but then is expected to be Thomas Tuchel’s starting No6 at this summer’s finals.
Speaking about Gazza, Anderson said: “His nephew used to play in the same team as me at Wallsend so whenever he played he used to come and watch.
“He was an amazing player and such an important part of that World Cup. If I can get anywhere near that level I’d be happy.”
Gazza was the same age as Anderson is now when he inspired England’s run to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup with his magical displays in the middle of the park.
He had forced his way into manager Bobby Robson’s thinking at the time – and the same can be said of Anderson.
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The former Newcastle starlet only made his senior Three Lions debut in September, impressing in a low-key 2-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park.
His caps haul stands at just six – yet he is a nailed-on starter at holding midfield for Tuchel in England’s tournament-opener against Ghana in Dallas on June 17, barring injury.
After years of Gareth Southgate bemoaning England’s lack of a tempo-setting No6, Anderson has emerged as the midfield metronome we have been missing.
But, ironically, he had never actually played in that position until Young Lions boss Lee Carsley suggested a positional shift in a behind-closed-doors, intra-squad game at St George’s Park ahead of last summer’s Under-21 Euros.
Anderson explained: “I was playing in the left 10 and as it happened I was sort of struggling to get on the ball, so I dropped deeper and he [Carsley] told me to drop deeper and get on the ball and start creating things and then it just felt so natural for me.
“I haven’t looked back.
“Definitely (I’ve studied other players in the position), there are the No6s who are very static and move the ball really well.
“I see myself as quite a mobile No6, I like to get around and on the ball and create things, so I’m trying to improve on that side.
“I’d watch (Sergio Busquets) and he was ridiculous.”
Busquets was the master of keeping his cool under pressure when playing for that amazing Barcelona team that dominated European football earlier this century.
While Anderson has some way to get close to the legendary Spaniard’s level, or that of Gascoigne’s for that matter, how relaxed he seems in intense situations does seem to be one of his biggest strengths.
It also explains how he has been unfazed by every new challenge posed to him during his stratospheric rise – and why Manchester United and Manchester City are vying to sign him this summer.
Asked if he would seem so cool on the biggest stage of all, Anderson replied: “I’m not sure if I’d be so relaxed for a World Cup final!
“But I was more attacking as a kid, playing wing, No10, so being able to deal with the ball and being quite good at dribbling helps me in those moments.
“It’s been crazy (his trajectory). It happened so quickly. I thought it wouldn’t have happened this quickly.
“I’m just trying to take it all in my stride and enjoy every moment. It’s really incredible to be playing with these players and I’m learning every day.”
Anderson was one of 11 players who were allowed to skip Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay as part of Tuchel’s experimental split squad.
It underlined just how much of a key man he is now regarded by the German, and Anderson took full advantage of the time off with four days sunning himself in Marbella.
The RnR will have been welcome given the unrelenting pressure of Forest’s relegation fight.
But Anderson appears the kind of player who does everything he can to ensure he is in tip-top condition for action despite his relentless fixture schedule.
After seeking advice from the FA, he has bought quite the array of recovery equipment for his home.
The former Bristol Rovers loanee explained: “I’ve got a hyperbaric chamber, a red-light sauna and stuff.
“I’ve really focused on the recovery side of things to get myself ready for the next game.
“I spoke to the staff at England and they helped provide me with those things to put me in the best place possible.”
Times have certainly changed for professional footballers compared to Gazza’s day.
Let’s hope Anderson’s no-stone-unturned approach can help Tuchel’s England go all the way this time – and consign oh-so-nears like Italia ‘90 to history.
