Three fringe England stars set for a huge World Cup
England once again head into a World Cup carrying the expectations of millions on their shoulders.
Thomas Tuchel embarks on his first international tournament as a manager, bringing with him several Three Lions players who also haven’t experienced the sport’s grandest stage.
Here are three fringe England players backed to shine at the World Cup.
Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson could have been turning out for Scotland at this summer’s World Cup, if it wasn’t for an injury. Back in September 2023, the midfielder earned his first senior Scotland call-up, for a double-header against Cyprus and England, but fitness woes forced him to withdraw before getting on the pitch.
Fast forward almost three years, and Anderson is now set for a starring role with England, having only made his debut last September.
It’s been a meteoric rise – and not the first in the England squad – for the midfielder, who left Newcastle in 2024 with his boyhood club needing to raise funds to avoid a breach of profit and sustainability rules (PSR). He won the Under-21 Euros with England last summer, and is now expected to form a starting midfield two alongside Decan Rice at the World Cup.
England have lacked a deep-lying No6, to complement Rice, for some time. Jordan Henderson has done that job previously, but his powers are waning, and Anderson now has the trust of Thomas Tuchel after a string of calm and composed displays.
Nico O’Reilly
One of the stories of the season has been the emergence of Nico O’Reilly. From marauding left-back to attacking midfielder, the youngster’s role during a breakthrough season with Manchester City has been hard to define, but his impact has not.
This versatility and unpredictability will be an asset to Thomas Tuchel, being able to push from full-back into midfield, with a keen goalscoring instinct to boot. Goals against the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and two, in the Carabao Cup final, against Arsenal is a remarkable return.
O’Reilly will face competition from Lewis Hall for a starting spot at left-back, with the Newcastle defender more assured defensively, but his adaptability makes him the more exciting option.
Anthony Gordon
Another whose emergence has been a feature of Thomas Tuchel’s time in charge, Anthony Gordon is attracting all the right attention for all the right reasons.
Breaking into one of the most fearsome front threes at the tournament – in Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford – means Gordon will have to make the most of his opportunities, and has done so this season on the biggest stages.
While his domestic form for Newcastle has been frustrating this season, in an unsettled side across a variety of positions, Gordon has thrived in the Champions League with 10 goals and two assists in 12 games. He has been deployed both as the focal point of the attack, and on the left-hand side, while out-performing his xG.
On the plane as a back-up option, his direct running will be an asset to England against tired legs, and looks most primed – over the likes of Jarrod Bowen or Noni Madueke – to make the required impact.