Maresca praised Elliott Anderson as a player eager to learn, saying he enjoys trying different things.

Another key match in the 10th round of the 2026/27 Premier League season will take place, with Manchester City traveling to Nottingham Forest. Manager Maresca stated that Elliott Anderson is a player eager to learn and enjoy trying different things, adding that the young midfielder is the kind of player every manager dreams of.

It is worth mentioning that before joining Manchester City in July this year, 23-year-old Elliott Anderson had played for Nottingham Forest for a period of time, and also won the third place with the England national team in the 2026 World Cup.

Manchester City manager Maresca said, "Now that I know Elliott Anderson, I'm not surprised he's adapted so well to Manchester City. He's someone who's eager to learn every day. We watch game videos with him, and he always wants to understand the game, learn new things, and keep improving. That's a dream come true for a manager, knowing he's willing to learn and enjoy trying different things."

“I don’t quite remember when I first saw Elliott Anderson play, but I do remember the first time I spoke with him, we were discussing what position he should play. However, from the beginning, I had a very good impression of him. We could tell he was a very intelligent player, and that’s very important.”

Maresca shared, “I’ve known him since he was at Newcastle, when he was going through a tough time, and then he went to Nottingham Forest. I also played against him a lot during my time at Chelsea. It’s an important game for Elliott Anderson, but every game is important for all of us.”

“I have emphasized many times that which club he played for in the past is not the most important thing. Players are just ordinary people, and what matters most is that he is an excellent player and is contributing to the team. I don’t know how he will be received, but I guess it will be positive because everything he did at Nottingham Forest was very important, and I hope he will receive a warm welcome from the fans.”

In addition, Maresca stated, "I have said many times that the key is to maintain a balanced squad. We have players like Elliott Anderson, Ayub Buadi, Enzo, Foden, Rajon Scherki, and Kovacic. How to arrange them specifically depends on the situation and tactical plan for each game, and we will select different players accordingly."

“Elliott Anderson currently plays primarily as a defensive midfielder, but I have no doubt that he is fully capable of playing further forward. He is well aware of this himself, and before the last Champions League match, we had a major discussion about understanding the game. It was a very pleasant exchange, and he is getting better and better.”

Image source: Internet