Elliot Anderson has revealed that Manchester City’s relentless winning mentality was a major reason behind his decision to join the club, as the England midfielder prepares for a new chapter at the Etihad Stadium.

Anderson completed his move from Nottingham Forest to City in the summer on a five-year contract after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign. The 23-year-old emerged as one of the Premier League’s most influential young midfielders, recording more touches than any other player in the division and establishing himself in England’s plans.

For Anderson, however, it was not simply the size of the club or the opportunity to move to a team competing for major honours. It was City’s mentality and the standards that come with playing for a club built around winning.

“I think it’s just them being winners. They’re relentless, and that’s the sort of team I want to be a part of, champions and people who win trophies and am really looking forward to working with Enzo Maresca. I’ve watched his teams over the past couple of years and spoken to a few of the lads from Chelsea, and they all rate him very highly,” Anderson said to Jio Hotstar recently.

The move also gives Anderson the opportunity to work under Enzo Maresca, who has taken charge of City for the new campaign. Anderson said he had followed the Italian’s teams and received positive feedback about the manager from players he knew at Chelsea.

His rapid rise has been striking. After developing at Newcastle before joining Forest in 2024, Anderson became a key figure at the City Ground and subsequently forced his way into England’s setup.

“I’m a little bit surprised! I guess it’s happened quite quickly, but I think I always believed that I could get to this point. This is where I want to be, and now that I’m here, I’ll keep pushing and trying to take this club forward,” he added.

Elliot Anderson admires KDB

The move also fulfils a personal ambition. Anderson grew up admiring Kevin De Bruyne, and now finds himself wearing the same shirt as the midfielder he watched throughout his development.

“Kevin De Bruyne is someone I’ve hugely looked up to over the past seven or eight years. Growing up through the academy at Newcastle, I always wanted to play like him, and I’ve watched him all the time. To be sat here in the team that he was doing it for is so special,” the England international concluded.

Anderson’s first Manchester derby is another fixture he is already eagerly anticipating, with the midfielder describing it as one of the biggest derbies in world football.