Elliot Anderson, the road ahead and the drive within
There are some young players you meet who have an aura. They just know they’re going places. They have the ability, have stood out in their age-groups and know the pathway will continue to open up with hard work. I saw it with Dele Alli at 16. I was in Karl Robinson’s office at MK Dons, and Dele was walking down the corridor. Robinson beckoned him in, introduced us, and matter-of-factly remarked that Dele would play for England one day. Dele, then in the England Under-17s, took the compliment in his stride. Within three years he was winning the first of his 37 caps. He knew his destiny even back then.
Nobody knew the depth of Dele’s issues back then, the difficult circumstances that drove him on, and he’d done remarkably given his mental health problems. Not all coltish thoroughbreds train on. I was allowed into Carrington once to watch Manchester United Under-17s take on a visiting Italian side. I sat with Paddy Crerand who was raving about some young talent United had. Ravel Morrison. He dominated the game, taking the ball, weaving past Italians and creating chances. He floated across the surface as all the best players do.
I’d been writing about United’s academy, hence the invitation to Carrington, but requested not to write about Morrison. United didn’t want any hoopla around him. They were also already aware of his complicated personality. Ravel got distracted easily, and was eventually diagnosed with ADHD. He’s 31 now, currently at his 14th club, Precision in the UAE Second Division League. Ravel’s had a career, but not the great one he could have had. I’ve spoken to people at the clubs Ravel was at down the years, from Manchester United to West Ham to Derby County, and they all liked him and were exasperated by him in equal measure. They could see the talent but not the focus.
Elliot Anderson certainly has the talent and the focus and, so importantly, the support network around him. It really is no surprise that the 21-year-old is flourishing at Nottingham Forest and receiving glowing reviews for his display in last night’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace at the City Ground.