Elliot Anderson has made a strong start to his Manchester City career. The England international has firmly established himself as a key component of Manchester City's midfield. His tireless work rate, ability to win duels and quality in possession make Anderson the fulcrum of City's midfield. However, as impressive as Anderson has been there is a scary thought for Manchester City's rivals to consider. Anderson has barely scratched the surface of the midfielder he could become. That is an exciting prospect to consider as Enzo Maresca raised this possibility yesterday.
Manchester City manager has used Elliot Anderson primarily as a number six in midfield this season. The endless energy that Anderson has makes him a quality number six. Couple this with his quality in possession and his strengths in duels, Anderson is the player for City to build their midfield around. Speaking yesterday, ahead of Manchester City's Champions League league phase fixture against RB Leipzig, Enzo Maresca explained that Anderson has the ability to play as a number eight in midfield. Maresca believes that Anderson has the ability to arrive in the box and add more goals to his game. He explained: " I think in this moment he is playing in the position which is best for him. That is a holding midfielder like a six. "
" No doubt in the future he can be also a number eight and arrive in the box. He has a good pass and also I think he can score some more goals ."
" In this moment I'm trying to know all of them in the right way. It's just been four months so I need to know them better and they need to know me better. It's on both sides. But for sure he can be a number eight that arrives inside the box."
It hasn't taken long at all for Elliot Anderson to show why Manchester City were so eager to sign him from Nottingham Forest. Anderson has been Manchester City's standout player alongside Erling Haaland for the 2026-27 season. The fact that the 23-year-old midfielder has cast aside any pressure of the heavy price that City paid to sign him is a credit to him. As Anderson is only 23, it does bode well for how much more he can grow as a player.
Elliot Anderson has the potential to add goals and assists to his game. At times, Anderson moves like De Bruyne. Anderson will never be the type of midfielder that De Bruyne was. No player ever will be. However, Anderson's passing game shares traits with De Bruyne. In time, it will not be a surprise to see Anderson become a regular provider of assists for Manchester City.
Also, Anderson has the potential to score goals from midfield. As he develops, or plays alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi more often, there is no reason why Anderson can't follow in Rodri's footsteps and add goals while playing as a number six.
As good as Elliot Anderson already is as a player, he has scratched the surface of what he will become. Manchester City already have a monster in midfield in Anderson. Once he develops and adds goals and assists on a consistent basis to his play, he will be a nightmare for Manchester City's opponents to contend with.
