Anderson also qualified for Scotland before eventually choosing to play for the Three Lions, with the Geordie admitting England U21 coach Lee Carsley was the man who made the difference.
Before England's friendly against Japan on Tuesday, Anderson said: "I’d always been playing for Scotland.
"I got injured one camp and wasn’t there, and then I took a bit of time out to make my decision - and I chose England.
"I had a meeting with Lee (Carsley) and it went really well. He just said 'I really believe in what you've got and I think you can get there'."
A switch from the No10 to No6 role by Carsley also was a boost for Anderson.
"We had a behind-closed-doors match and I was playing in the left 10 role and struggling to get on the ball," said Anderson.
"He (Carsley) told me to drop deeper and get on the ball and start creating things. It just felt so natural for me and I haven’t looked back."