Elliot Anderson says Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice is helping him to become a better player | OneFootball

Elliot Anderson says playing with Arsenal midfielder and England team-mate Declan Rice is helping him to become a better player.

The 23-year-old has had a brilliant season for Forest and has established himself as an England regular alongside Rice under boss Thomas Tuchel.

Rice has been a part of two Euros and a World Cup, and Anderson says he is learning from his team-mate’s experience: “It’s a really good partnership. Since I’ve come in, he’s made me feel comfortable. He’s helped me learn on the job and he’s full of energy to help me.

“The relationship on the pitch is really good. I think on and off the pitch he’s helping. Seeing the way he plays on the pitch, I’m trying to learn from him the way he plays. Just little things on the training pitch, bits of advice, putting his arm around me and just building on the relationship.”

Anderson has started every one of Forest’s 31 Premier League games this season and asked if he thinks he will start the first game of the World Cup, Anderson said: “I want it that way, but I’ve got a full season left with Forest. I’ve got plenty of games and there’s plenty of time until then, so I’ve got to keep my standards high and make sure it happens.”

Anderson did not play in England’s last game, the 1-1 draw with Uruguay, and this week’s game against Japan will be England’s last match before the World Cup squad is announced in a couple of months.

Asked, then, if this game against Japan is one of the biggest in his career, Anderson said: “Yes, it’s always a big game when you play for England and I’m looking really forward to it. As you say, it’s the last game before the World Cup. I’ve just got to try and do what I’ve been doing in the previous games.”