Elliot Anderson Nyanyikan Yel Newcastle Usai Inggris Tekuk Norwegia

Gelandang tim nasional Inggris, Elliot Anderson, tertangkap kamera menyanyikan yel-yel Newcastle United di Stadion Hard Rock, Miami, setelah membawa timnya menang 2-1 atas Norwegia di babak perempat final Piala Dunia pada Senin (13/7) waktu setempat.

Aksi emosional pemain baru Manchester City senilai 116 juta poundsterling tersebut viral di media sosial saat lagu legendaris dinyanyikan oleh para pendukung. Anderson yang kelelahan usai berlari sejauh 14,8 kilometer kemudian memberikan komentarnya kepada BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It was so tough. So tough," ujar Elliot Anderson, gelandang tim nasional Inggris.

Pemain berusia 23 tahun tersebut mengakui beratnya perjuangan tim dalam pertandingan melelahkan yang berlangsung hingga babak perpanjangan waktu di tengah kelembapan udara yang tinggi.

"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 tim nasional Inggris.

Mantan pemain akademi Newcastle United ini juga menilai taktik permainan tim masih bisa ditingkatkan demi mempermudah langkah mereka di lapangan.

"We could have made it easier for ourselves if we had played more football and didn't have to run as much," tutur Elliot Anderson, gelandang tim nasional Inggris.

Meskipun rencana permainan tidak berjalan sepenuhnya mulus, Anderson tetap optimistis dengan potensi besar yang dimiliki skuad Tiga Singa menjelang laga semifinal melawan 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," tambah Elliot Anderson, gelandang tim nasional Inggris.

Rekan setimnya, Dan Burn, turut memberikan apresiasi tinggi terhadap ketenangan dan perkembangan pesat yang ditunjukkan Anderson sejak masih di level junior.

"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," ujar Dan Burn, bek tim nasional Inggris.

Burn juga menyoroti kepindahan paksa Anderson ke Nottingham Forest pada tahun 2024 akibat regulasi finansial Premier League yang justru menjadi berkah tersendiri.

"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?" kata Dan Burn, bek tim nasional Inggris.

Di sisi lain, manajer Inggris Thomas Tuchel memuji fleksibilitas taktik timnya, termasuk eksperimen menempatkan Morgan Rogers di posisi gelandang.

"We played with Morgan Rogers in the eight and defensively as a double six," ujar Thomas Tuchel, manajer tim nasional Inggris.

Tuchel mengaku sangat puas dengan kontribusi krusial para pemain pengganti yang mampu beradaptasi dengan peran baru di atas lapangan.

"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," tutur Thomas Tuchel, manajer tim nasional Inggris.

Sementara itu, mantan pelatih Anderson di Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, sempat mengungkapkan penyesalan mendalam karena terpaksa melepas sang pemain bertalenta.

"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," kata Eddie Howe, manajer Newcastle United.

Howe menegaskan bahwa keputusan tersebut murni karena situasi keuangan klub yang mendesak, padahal Anderson adalah aset masa depan yang sangat berharga.

"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," tutur Eddie Howe, manajer Newcastle United.

Meskipun menyakitkan bagi klub lamanya, Howe mendoakan agar gelandang muda tersebut terus bersinar dalam karier sepak bola profesionalnya.

"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," pungkas Eddie Howe, manajer Newcastle United.