Representing Manchester’s blue team, Elliott Anderson is so angry that he doesn’t even kick the ball.
But the England superstar has cemented his colors firmly and firmly on the Manchester City mast, ensuring that most of the anger belongs to those in the red half. Anderson ignored Manchester United in favor of a £116m deal that would be City’s most expensive signing. And he wasted no time in revealing why he chose one neighbor over the other.
“I think they’re winners. They’re relentless. I want to be a part of that team,” Anderson said. “The guys who win championships and trophies, that’s why I wanted to be a part of it because they’ve dominated for the last 10, 12 years.
“For as long as I’ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester.”
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Anderson’s comments have infuriated their new neighbors and will recall when City mocked United with a giant “Welcome to Manchester” poster featuring Carlos Tevez’s face that lured the Argentine away from Old Trafford in 2009.
United may have spent months trying to sign Anderson, but the player insists Sir Jim Ratcliffe & Co. were a waste of time.
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once described City as “noisy neighbours”. However, City continued to dominate English football over the past decade.
Carlos Tevez was very welcome to Man City (Image: PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Anderson said: “Manchester City is one of the biggest clubs in the world, their team is great and they are very strong in every position. When I knew they needed me I was absolutely determined to make this move happen. As a footballer you want to test yourself at the highest level and being at City means I have that chance.”
“From the outside looking in, City is a club that values its players and provides the perfect environment for them to perform well. Their success and the way they have played the game over the last 10 to 15 years has been extraordinary. It’s an honor to be given the opportunity to be a part of that.”
Anderson’s rise to the top was rapid and stunning. In four seasons, he went from being loaned to Bristol Rovers to becoming Britain’s most expensive footballer and helping England reach the World Cup semi-finals.
But Anderson is relishing taking the next step at club level. Because he knows he has joined a machine built for success.
He said: “It happened very quickly, but I think I always believed I could get this far – and this is where I want to be. Having come this far, I’m going to keep pushing and trying to take this club forward.”
“This is a club built to win trophies and compete at the top level. That’s exciting for any footballer. I’m very happy to have been given this opportunity and I’m determined to repay the faith City have shown in me.”
Anderson, 23, grew up marveling at Kevin De Bruyne’s influence on City and English football. And he admits it feels like a dream come true to be now in the same team where De Bruyne achieved such feats.
He said: “I think Kevin De Bruyne is someone I’ve looked up to very much over the last seven or eight years.
“I’ve always been in the Newcastle academy growing up. I always wanted to play like him. I’ve always watched him and to sit here in the team he played for is very special.”
Pep Guardiola may be gone, but Anderson is enjoying working under Enzo Maresca. It goes without saying that this is his chance to prove that he is worthy of the nickname ‘Jordy Maradona’ given to him by Rovers fans during his time at Bristol.
Furthermore, he added: “They started it and it kind of ended up everywhere I went, it was really good.
“It makes me happy to hear that on the pitch and it really gives me confidence.
“I think I bring a little bit of everything. I bring quality, physicality, energy. I want to get them (City fans) excited, get them on their feet and bring energy to the team.”
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