Elliot Anderson didn’t waste any time. In his first City interview since completing a club-record £116m move from Nottingham Forest, the midfielder called City the “kings of Manchester” — a line aimed squarely at their neighbours.
Speaking to City’s own channels, relayed by Fabrizio Romano, Anderson explained why he chose the Etihad over Old Trafford, who had pursued him earlier in the window before dropping out. City, he said, are winners and relentless. Over a decade of dominance was why he wanted in.
There’s substance behind it. Anderson made 55 appearances coming through Newcastle’s academy before a £35m move to Forest two years ago, where he established himself as a Premier League regular and forced his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for their run to the World Cup semi-finals.
He’s signed a five-year deal at City, with the option of a sixth.
He’ll find out how it feels soon enough. The first Manchester derby of the season is at Old Trafford on 13 September. He also named Kevin De Bruyne as a long-time inspiration, which softened the needle slightly.
Whether United fans let him forget “kings of Manchester” if things go wrong is another matter.
