IT'S HANDY ANDERSON

Pearce believes midfield ace could play a key role - just like Gazza did in 1990

- By PAUL MARTIN

STUART Pearce knows more than most about the impact a Geordie central midfielder can have on a major tournament.

The England legend had the best view in the house when Paul Gascoigne announced himself to the world at Italia '90 and was still a key part of the squad when the troubled genius captured the nation's hearts once again at Euro '96.

It would be tricky to find a more contrasting character to Gazza than the softly-spoken Elliot Anderson.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport, the Nottingham Forest ace admitted that 'from the outside, I probably look quite miserable and boring' - two words which would not leap to mind when discussing Gascoigne.

In addition to their Geordie heritage, the pair also share an ability to produce moments of midfield magic. Pearce has seen plenty of Anderson since his 2024 move to Forest, a club 'Psycho' represented 552 times between 1985 and 1997, and believes this summer could be the making of the 23-year-old.

"He has been magnificent," Pearce said. "I like his personality on a football pitch, he has got that little bit of arrogance about him.

"He is cajoling, he is offering his personality to his team-mates, which I really like.

"He has looked the part since stepping into that international shirt. Him and Declan Rice are a great foil for each other in that central midfield area.

"They are almost the first names on the teamsheet at the moment, the pair of them, which is brilliant. I am expecting big things from him in the summer, I really am!"

Anderson shone at last year's Under-21 European Championship, which England won, and has become a firm favourite of Thomas Tuchel's since making his senior debut against Andorra in September.