Three weeks after the deal was struck, the new man is ready to go

Elliot Anderson was officially presented as a Manchester City player today, finally able to say what he has been waiting to say since the start of July: this is exactly where he wanted to be. The 23-year-old midfielder's move from Nottingham Forest was completed weeks ago, but his involvement at the World Cup with England pushed back the formalities.

Now he is here. And he sounds like a man who has got what he came for.

Speaking to the club's media channels, Anderson did not hide his enthusiasm. “I’m over the moon,” he said. “I can’t wait to play for this club. I’m really looking forward to it. I think they’re winners, they’re relentless, and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of – champions and people who win trophies. Over the last 10, 12 years, they’ve dominated, so that’s why I wanted to join.”

That much is clear. The rise has been rapid.

From Forest to the elite in 12 months

Anderson's trajectory over the past year has been remarkable. At Forest he went from an exciting prospect to one of the Premier League's elite midfielders, and his performances for Thomas Tuchel's England side at the World Cup confirmed he belongs at the top level. He was a strong performer on the biggest stage, and City were watching.

“It’s happened quite quick,” Anderson admitted. “But I think I always believed that I could get to this point. This is where I want to be. Now that I’m here, I’ll keep pushing and try to take this club forward.”

He joins a side now managed by Enzo Maresca, and he has done his homework. Anderson said he had watched Maresca's Leicester and Chelsea teams, and spoke to former Chelsea players about him. The verdict was emphatic. “I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “I’ve watched his teams over the past couple of years and spoke to a few of the lads from Chelsea and they all rate him very highly. So, I’m really looking forward to getting to work with him.”

Maresca will like what he has got. Anderson drives forward with the ball, passes accurately, dribbles powerfully, and works hard without it. His ability to win duels and recover possession should make him a natural fit in a midfield that has seen Bernardo Silva and John Stones depart this summer. There is space, and there is opportunity.

“Yeah, 100%. I like to be intense when I play and use lots of energy around the pitch and get the fans going,” Anderson said. “So, I think that’ll be good.”

It should be. City's first pre-season game is against Inter Milan on 1st August. The season starts on 23rd August. Anderson looks ready to go.