Anderson ran more than anyone against Norway — then apologised for being destroyed
Anderson covered 14.8 km in the Miami heat and was England's top distance runner in the win over Norway. Rogers also impressed Tuchel.
Fourteen point eight kilometres in the suffocating Miami heat. Cramps in extra time. And still Elliot Anderson walked off the pitch with a clear conscience.
The midfielder, recently signed by Manchester City for a record fee, was the England player who covered the most ground in the victory over Norway — outrunning even captain Harry Kane by a few hundred metres. It was no surprise, then, that he appeared completely spent at the BBC Radio 5 Live microphone moments after the final whistle.
"It was very tough. Very tough," Anderson said. "I cramped up a few times in extra time. But the fighting spirit in this group is incredible. The fans can be proud of the determination we showed."
While Jude Bellingham stole the headlines, Anderson produced arguably his best performance since coming through the academy — and that on a night when Tuchel deployed him in at least four different positions after pulling Declan Rice at half-time through injury and illness.
Morgan Rogers also caught the eye. The Aston Villa player completed 87 passes at a 94% accuracy rate in a display that impressed the German head coach, according to The Guardian.
England are already through to the quarter-finals. Golmetria's model gives the side a 15.3% chance of winning the title — a figure that, looking at what Anderson delivered against Norway, doesn't seem far-fetched.
The question now is simple: when Tuchel needs someone who will run until there is nothing left, who does he pick?