Elliot Anderson has been unveiled as Manchester City’s record £116m signing and the England midfielder has wasted no time making it clear he chose City over Manchester United
Elliot Anderson hasn’t even struck a ball in anger for the sky blue side of Manchester. Yet, the England sensation has ensured that most of the ire will belong to those on the red half, having firmly pledged his allegiance to the Manchester City cause after his record-breaking move was announced.
Anderson spurned Manchester United in favour of becoming City’s priciest signing in a £116m deal. And he’s been quick to clarify why he opted for one neighbour over the other.
“I think they’re winners. They’re relentless – and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of,” declared Anderson. “Champions and people who win trophies. Over the last 10, 12 years, they’ve dominated, so that’s why I wanted to join. For as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester.”
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Anderson’s remarks are sure to irk his new neighbours and hark back to when City goaded United with a massive ‘Welcome To Manchester’ poster featuring Carlos Tevez’s face, after enticing the Argentine from Old Trafford in 2009.
United may have spent months trying to secure Anderson themselves, but the player maintains Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Co were flogging a dead horse.
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once dubbed City the ‘noisy neighbours’. But City have since come to rule the roost in English football over the past decade.
Anderson declared: “Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the squad they have is amazing – so strong in every position. As soon as I knew they wanted me, I was absolutely determined to make this move happen. As a footballer, you want to test yourself at the highest level. Being at City means I have that opportunity.
“From the outside looking in, City are a club that treats its players well and provides the perfect environment to excel. The success they have had, and the way they have played the game in the last 10 to 15 years has been extraordinary. It’s a privilege to be given the chance to be part of that.”
Anderson’s ascent to the summit has been swift and remarkable. Within four seasons he has progressed from being on loan with Bristol Rovers to assisting England in reaching a World Cup semi-final, while becoming Britain’s most expensive footballer.
Yet making the next leap at club level is something Anderson is embracing, knowing he has joined a winning machine designed for success.
He stated: “It’s happened quite quick, but I think I always believed that I could get to this point – and this is where I want to be. Now that I’m here, I’ll keep pushing and try to take this club forward.
“It’s a club built to win trophies and compete at the very top of the game. That is exciting for any footballer. I’m so happy to have been given this opportunity, and I am determined to repay the faith City have shown in me.”
Anderson, 23, spent his childhood admiring the impact Kevin De Bruyne had on City and English football. He confesses that being part of the same team that De Bruyne once graced so impressively feels like a dream realised.
He said: “I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone who I’ve hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years.
“I’ve always grown up through the academy at Newcastle. I’ve always wanted to play like him. I’ve watched him all the time, and to be sat here in the team that he was doing it for is so special.”
Pep Guardiola may no longer be around, but Anderson is thrilled to be working under Enzo Maresca. Not to mention the opportunity to justify his nickname ‘Geordie Maradona’, bestowed upon him by Rovers supporters during his stint in Bristol.
He added: “They started that and it sort of stuck everywhere I’ve been. It’s a really good one. It makes me happy when I hear it on the pitch and yeah, it gives me real confidence.
“I think I bring a bit of everything. I bring quality, I bring physicality, energy. I’d like to think I’d get them (City fans) excited, get them off their feet and bring energy to the team.”