Manchester City splurge on Anderson after Chelsea backs Maresca

Manchester City have completed the £116 million signing of 23‑year‑old midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, confirmed on 2 July 2026, making the transfer the club’s record fee and underscoring the premium placed on his midfield talent. Man City’s record fee underscores the club’s ambition to dominate the midfield.

The club pursued Anderson after its scouting network consulted several Chelsea insiders to evaluate the coaching style of Italian manager Enzo Maresca, whose methods the player believed would suit his development. Chelsea’s assessment gave City confidence that the Italian manager’s philosophy would nurture Anderson’s growth.

The 23‑year‑old midfielder explained that the insights he gained from those conversations convinced him that Maresca’s approach was ideal, adding that he had spent the past couple of years analysing Maresca’s teams, watching matches and studying tactical setups.

Speaking to official Manchester City media, Anderson quoted the Chelsea insiders, saying, “They all rate him very highly – I’m really looking forward to getting to work with him.” The comment highlighted the weight of the advice he received from his former league rivals.

Director of football Hugo Viana described Anderson as “one of the outstanding young midfield talents in world football right now” and suggested that, under the right structure at the Etihad, he could become a complete midfielder.

England teammate Declan Rice publicly praised the signing, calling Anderson one of the best players he has ever shared a pitch with, adding further excitement to the arrival.

Anderson completed the move on 2 July 2026, joining Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for a club‑record £116 million and is expected to feature centrally in the midfield for the 2026‑27 campaign, arriving as Maresca begins his first pre‑season in charge, which suggests a smooth integration into the new manager’s system.

Several European rivals had also shown interest during the summer, highlighting the high demand for Anderson’s abilities across the continent and reflecting a market where top clubs are willing to break records for promising talent.