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- Anderson spoke to friends at Chelsea before joining Man City to learn about Enzo Maresca
- The £116M signing says those who worked under Maresca at Chelsea “all rate him very highly”
- Anderson says he has also studied Maresca’s teams closely over the past couple of years
Manchester City’s club record signing Elliot Anderson has revealed that conversations with friends at Chelsea played a key role in his decision to move to the Etihad Stadium.
The 23-year-old joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest earlier this month in a club-record deal worth £116 million after a breakthrough 2025-26 season at the City Ground.
Anderson had ample opportunity to gather first-hand intelligence on Enzo Maresca during the FIFA World Cup in North America, with several players from Chelsea featuring in the England squad alongside him.
That direct channel to players who had experienced Maresca’s methods up close – rather than simply reading about them – gave Anderson a level of insight into what life under the new manager would look like that few incoming signings are able to access before putting pen to paper.
Director of football Hugo Viana described Anderson on signing as “one of the outstanding young midfield talents in world football right now,” adding that he could “become a complete midfielder” at the Etihad Stadium under the right management structure.
Anderson: I’m really looking forward to getting to work with Maresca
Speaking to official Manchester City media, Anderson was open about both the research he had conducted and the personal conversations that informed his view of his new manager.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” said Anderson of the prospect of working with Maresca. “I’ve watched his teams over the past couple of years and spoke to a few of the lads from Chelsea – they all rate him very highly. I’m really looking forward to getting to work with him.”
The dual nature of Anderson’s due diligence – studying Maresca’s teams on screen while simultaneously gathering personal testimonials from those inside the dressing room – reflects the thoroughness of an approach that clearly left him in no doubt about the choice he was making when deciding on his next club.
Maresca’s ability to generate that level of loyalty and respect from former players, many of whom were happy to actively advocate for him with a player considering joining the club, speaks to the environment the Italian builds and the impression he leaves on those who work under him.
What does Anderson’s account tell us about Man City’s new era?
The picture Anderson has painted across his first interviews as a City player is of a footballer who has arrived with his eyes fully open – aware of the club’s history, prepared for the derby, enthused by the manager and settled on his destination for reasons that go well beyond the financial.
That combination of personal conviction and informed enthusiasm will be welcomed by Maresca as he begins his first pre-season in charge at the Etihad Stadium, with Anderson expected to be central to his midfield plans for the 2026-27 campaign from the moment competitive football returns.
Declan Rice, who shared a World Cup camp with Anderson for England, went further than almost anyone in his public endorsement of the signing, calling him one of the best players he has ever shared a pitch with – a verdict that, alongside the glowing Chelsea testimonials Anderson has described, suggests the player’s arrival has been anticipated with genuine excitement by those who know him best.
Whether Anderson’s confidence and preparation translate into an immediate impact on the pitch is the question that will define the early stages of Maresca’s tenure at Manchester City – but the signs, from within the camp and from the player himself, could hardly be more encouraging.
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Source: Cityxtra.co.uk
