Another key cogAnderson struggled in the opening exchanges against Croatia, but really settled into the game as things wore on.
It was, in fact, a singular, crucial pass from the Nottingham Forest man that opened things up for good. Just after the break, he played a raking ball down the line for Bellingham, who latched onto it and scored England’s third. That moment, combined with 45 minutes of tidy midfield play, showed exactly what Anderson can bring to this team.
For so long, England have needed a third midfielder to settle the centre of the park. Jordan Henderson does not quite fit that mould, but Anderson has shown that he can be the long-term answer. Tuchel has trusted him for months, and there’s no reason to suggest that he won’t continue to do so.
