Has Anderson lived up to the hype after Man City move?

What the report says

Elliot Anderson’s return to Nottingham Forest comes after a major summer transfer to Manchester City, with BBC Sport Football examining whether the midfielder has matched the expectations attached to his reported £116m fee. The piece says the 24-year-old arrived at City after two standout seasons at Forest, where his performances made him one of the Premier League’s most closely watched midfielders and earned him a growing role with England.

According to the report, Anderson has settled quickly into City’s side under manager Enzo Maresca, who has used him mainly as a holding midfielder rather than in the more advanced, box-to-box role he played at Forest. His early numbers are described as strong, including high rankings for fouls drawn, duels won, passing and touches, even if his attacking output has been modest so far with one goal and two assists in 14 games. The article also notes his assist for Erling Haaland’s winner against RB Leipzig.

BBC Sport’s assessment suggests Anderson has generally justified the move in terms of form and influence, while also highlighting that he is still adapting to the tactical discipline required at City. Maresca and Haaland are quoted praising his learning mindset and early impact. The article adds that Forest supporters may give him a warm reception on his first return to the City Ground, reflecting his rise from a promising domestic player to one of English football’s most expensive signings.