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Elliot Anderson, signed at a huge cost as Manchester City’s player for the future, began by referring to the club’s past. Anderson is not someone who says a lot, but it stood out that, when he completed his £116m move to City, he described his new side as “the kings of Manchester”. The line went down well with City supporters and also carried an extra barb for another club that wanted him: Manchester United.

“There is always an option,” said Anderson. “You’ve got a big decision to make and I’m confident I’ve made the right one.” In his experience of both watching and playing football, City fit that description. It also points to how their recent era of success has created a lasting legacy. “I was probably eight or nine when Aguero scored that goal,” said Anderson, referring to Sergio Aguero’s 94th-minute title-winning strike on the final day of the 2011-2012 season. “I’ve been watching City for the past 10 years.”

City’s modern greats have clearly influenced him. Anderson has taken the No 5 shirt that was previously worn by John Stones. In footballing terms, though, he is more of an heir to their midfield artists. “[Kevin] De Bruyne was always the player I look up to over the last 10 years,” he said. “I loved watching him. To be here at the same club and playing where he played is special.”

Elliot Anderson has admitted he was inspired by Kevin De Bruyne.

Whether Anderson ends up carrying out the kind of responsibilities De Bruyne once had may partly depend on the identity of the player beside him. He called Rodri one of the best midfielders in the world; considering the Spaniard is both a Ballon d’Or winner and a World Cup Golden Ball winner, that may even have understated his standing. Barcelona have already had one bid for the Spain captain rejected, and with the likelihood of a second offer to come, Anderson may instead find himself central to City’s plans for life after Rodri.

Elliot Anderson spent two years at Nottingham Forest.

Anderson describes himself as an all-round midfielder, but feels he does share some qualities with Rodri. “I think so,” he said. “I can be. I can do various things within midfield and I’ll see where I get used. I’ll play anywhere to be honest. Creating things, driving forward or the other role if they ask me to do that.”

If some of that depends on Enzo Maresca, the new manager has already outlined what he wants from Anderson. “We’ve spoken a few times,” he added. “He explained the sort of things that I need to do. There is a lot of running, a lot of energy. It’s to try and control games. That is what I can do.”

That is exactly what he did at Nottingham Forest, performances that earned him a transfer which, for a short time, made him the most expensive British player in history. He accepts that the £116m fee will remain attached to his name. “It always will be [attached],” he said. “As long as I focus on myself and my performances, that’s all I can do.” It may have helped that Chelsea then made Morgan Rogers the £117m man. “It’s football, isn’t it? I’m good friends with Morgan, I’m delighted he got the move that he wanted,” Anderson said.

Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers both completed major-money transfers this summer.

His own transfer also came with a couple of notable side stories. A brilliantly-taken equaliser for Forest at the Etihad in March damaged City’s title challenge; even so, he said he had no idea they were interested in him at the time, only finding out shortly before the World Cup. He was also not put off by Pep Guardiola’s departure.

City agreed a fee with Forest while Anderson was in the United States. Around nine days later, he was involved in a physical battle with a future teammate. Erling Haaland bundled Anderson to the ground, in the referee’s opinion, and as a result a Norway goal in the World Cup quarter-final was ruled out. The striker did not agree with the call. Even so, the midfielder has already had a taste of the top scorer’s humour. “He has been calling me a diver, hasn’t he?” he smiled. “It was funny. He has been really good and has helped me settle in.”

Elliot Anderson came up against new teammate Erling Haaland at the World Cup.

That probably helps, considering the extraordinary speed at which his career has moved forward. A year ago, Anderson had not played senior international football. Now he is the fifth most expensive player of all time and has been a key figure in helping England secure officially their best World Cup finish on foreign soil.

“I take huge confidence knowing that I can perform on a World Cup stage,” said Anderson. He was speaking exactly four weeks after his hopes of winning the 2026 tournament were ended by Argentina in the semi-final.

Elliot Anderson’s first World Cup has left him with mixed emotions.

“It’s really hard,” he said. “I’m still sort of struggling with that now. There are highs and lows in football.” Anderson’s past year has brought many more highs than lows on the pitch. But, as his memories of Aguero and De Bruyne show, joining City now gives him even greater heights to aim for.