Elliot Anderson Siap Kawal Lini Tengah Inggris Melawan Argentina

Gelandang tim nasional Inggris Elliot Anderson bersiap tampil sebagai starter dalam pertandingan semifinal Piala Dunia 2026 melawan Argentina di Atlanta pada Rabu malam waktu setempat setelah menunjukkan performa luar biasa selama turnamen berlangsung di Amerika Utara.

Pemain baru Manchester City senilai 116 juta poundsterling tersebut menjadi tumpuan taktik pelatih Thomas Tuchel, terutama setelah menempuh jarak lari sejauh 14,8 kilometer saat Inggris mengalahkan Norwegia di babak perempat final.

Selepas laga melelahkan di Miami tersebut, Anderson mengungkapkan rasa letih sekaligus kebanggaannya atas daya juang tim Tiga Singa yang berhasil melaju ke babak empat besar.

"It was so tough. So tough," ujar Elliot Anderson, Gelandang Timnas Inggris.

Anderson mengakui kondisi fisiknya sempat menurun akibat kelembapan udara yang sangat tinggi, namun dukungan suporter memberikan motivasi tambahan bagi seluruh elemen tim.

"I was cramping up a few times [in extra time]. But the fighting spirit the lads have is amazing to be part of. The fans should be proud of the amount of fight and determination we showed." kata Elliot Anderson, Gelandang Timnas Inggris.

Mantan pemain akademi Newcastle United ini menilai performa kolektif timnya masih bisa ditingkatkan demi menyajikan permainan yang lebih efektif pada laga-laga berikutnya.

"We could have made it easier for ourselves if we had played more football and didn’t have to run as much," tambah Elliot Anderson, Gelandang Timnas Inggris.

Ia optimistis bahwa cetak biru permainan Inggris akan segera mencapai bentuk terbaiknya demi menghadapi ancaman dari tim-tim besar seperti Argentina.

"But that’s football, isn’t it? Sometimes you set out a plan and we didn’t quite do it. But there were glimpses and once we get it right I think we will be frightening." tutur Elliot Anderson, Gelandang Timnas Inggris.

Rekan setimnya di timnas Inggris, Dan Burn, turut memberikan kesaksian mengenai perkembangan mental dan ketenangan sang gelandang muda sejak masih menimba ilmu di Newcastle.

"He is very composed and nothing really seems to faze Elliot from what I have seen. From him coming through as a kid, training with Newcastle, to now starting in the World Cup. Never changes character, always wanting the ball.

Plays with that intensity the manager loves. I was really so happy for him the other day [in the win over Croatia] because he’s had a tough time in his personal life. He has shown the quality he has got." jelas Dan Burn, Bek Timnas Inggris.

Burn juga menyoroti keputusan transfer mendesak akibat regulasi keuntungan dan keberlanjutan (PSR) yang justru membukakan jalan bagi Anderson menuju panggung dunia.

"I don’t think he wanted to leave Newcastle [in a forced sale to Nottingham Forest due to PSR situation in June 2024) but would he be in the position he is in now if still was at Newcastle?" tanya Dan Burn, Bek Timnas Inggris.

Di sisi lain, manajer timnas Inggris Thomas Tuchel memberikan pujian khusus kepada perubahan taktik di lini tengah termasuk eksperimen menempatkan Morgan Rogers.

"We played with Morgan Rogers in the eight and defensively as a double six," ungkap Thomas Tuchel, Pelatih Timnas Inggris.

Tuchel menegaskan kepuasannya atas kedalaman skuad yang dimiliki Inggris serta fleksibilitas posisi yang ditunjukkan oleh para pemain pengganti.

"He’s one of my key players. I’m so, so happy about his performance. He made a big step forward, like all our subs, but especially Morgan in a new position – absolutely top." puji Thomas Tuchel, Pelatih Timnas Inggris.

Penyesalan mendalam terkait kepergian sang gelandang dari St James' Park pada tahun 2024 silam juga sempat diutarakan oleh mantan mentornya di level klub.

"It was something we regretted when we were doing it. We knew that would be a very, very painful transfer, one that we had to do. We had no choice, but it was probably the most reluctant transfer I’ll ever do, because we knew the quality of the player.

We’d seen him close up for a number of years training with us. He was beginning to break into the team and he was being for me, the back end of that season, really effective in a number of different positions. It really hurts to see him do that against us today, he’s going to go and have a fantastic career, wherever he goes, wherever his career takes him.

He’s a great lad as well, so it’s painful for us to take but he’s an outstanding player." tutur Eddie Howe, Manajer Newcastle United.