Who has been England’s unsung hero as Jude Bellingham & Harry Kane hog the headlines? Ex-Three Lions star singles out top World Cup grafter
Former England star Gary Pallister identifies midfielder Elliot Anderson as an unsung hero for England's 2026 World Cup campaign. While stars like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane receive the most attention, Anderson's defensive work in midfield has been crucial to the team's success.
Why it matters
Recognizing the contributions of supporting players provides a more nuanced understanding of team dynamics in high-stakes international sports.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been hogging headlines for England at the 2026 World Cup, with ex-Three Lions star Gary Pallister telling GOAL who has been an unsung hero for Thomas Tuchel’s side. All-action midfielder Elliot Anderson is considered to fit that bill, with the Manchester City new boy putting in the graft that allows others to deliver guile.
Two superstar performers, in the form of Bayern Munich striker Kane and Real Madrid playmaker Bellingham, have dragged England through to the World Cup semi-finals - scoring six goals apiece through as many fixtures.
Without them, the Three Lions would probably already be at home and readying themselves for pre-season programmes. As it stands, they are preparing to lock horns with Lionel Messi and reigning champions Argentina.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in