Manchester City's record signing Elliot Anderson has revealed the deep personal connection that shaped his £116m move to the Etihad, describing the club as "the kings of Manchester" upon his arrival — a comment that not only won over supporters but also carried a pointed jab at another suitor, Manchester United.
The midfielder, who left Nottingham Forest for a fee that briefly made him the most expensive British player in history, insists he has no regrets about his choice. "There is always an option," Anderson said. "You've got a big decision to make and I'm confident I've made the right one."
For Anderson, the move represents something of a homecoming to a club he has admired since childhood. He recalled being just eight or nine years old when Sergio Aguero scored his iconic last-gasp title-winning goal in 2012, a moment that sparked a decade-long fascination with City's rise to dominance. "I've been watching City for the past 10 years," he said.
That admiration extended to the club's recent stars, none more so than Kevin De Bruyne, whose influence on Anderson's game is unmistakable. "De Bruyne was always the player I look up to over the last 10 years," Anderson explained. "I loved watching him. To be here at the same club and playing where he played is special." Fittingly, he has taken the No 5 shirt once worn by John Stones, though his role appears geared more toward the creative responsibilities associated with City's midfield generals.
Whether Anderson can eventually fill the void left by a potential Rodri departure remains to be seen. With Barcelona having already had one bid rejected for the Spain international and reportedly preparing another approach, Anderson could be tasked with anchoring City's midfield future. He praised Rodri as one of the finest midfielders in world football and acknowledged some stylistic similarities between them. "I think so," he said. "I can do various things within midfield and I'll see where I get used. I'll play anywhere, to be honest. Creating things, driving forward, or the other role if they ask me to do that."
New manager Enzo Maresca has already outlined what he expects from his summer recruit. "We've spoken a few times," Anderson revealed. "He explained the sort of things that I need to do. There is a lot of running, a lot of energy. It's to try and control games. That is what I can do." Those attributes were on full display during his time at Forest, where his performances — including a stunning equaliser against City at the Etihad in March — caught the eye of City's recruitment team, though Anderson claims he was oblivious to their interest until shortly before the World Cup.
The transfer saga produced a few curious subplots. Anderson found himself facing new teammate Erling Haaland during England's World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway, with the striker wrestling him to the ground in a challenge that led to a disallowed goal — a decision Haaland still disputes. Since becoming clubmates, the Norwegian has playfully needled Anderson about the incident. "He has been calling me a diver, hasn't he?" Anderson laughed. "It was funny. He has been really good and has helped me settle in."
Anderson also addressed comparisons with Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for a fee of £117m, narrowly surpassing his own price tag. "It's football, isn't it? I'm good friends with Morgan, I'm delighted he got the move that he wanted," he said.
Despite the whirlwind of the past year — which saw him break into England's senior setup and help the national team reach their best World Cup finish outside home soil — Anderson admitted the pain of England's semi-final exit to Argentina still lingers. "It's really hard," he said. "I'm still sort of struggling with that now. There are highs and lows in football."
Now settling into life at City, Anderson believes his World Cup experience has given him the belief to thrive on football's biggest stages. "I take huge confidence knowing that I can perform on a World Cup stage," he said, as he looks to build on the legacy of the players who inspired him.
Based on reporting from The Independent.