Anderson arrives at City following a remarkable rise through the English game and begins the new chapter after an outstanding 2025-26 Premier League campaign in which he registered a league-high 3,323 touches. Speaking to JioHotstar, the midfielder reflected on his rapid progress, his admiration for Kevin De Bruyne, and the prospect of joining one of football\u2019s biggest rivalries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Anderson, however, the appeal of City was clear: the chance to be surrounded by a team with an established record of competing for the biggest honours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s just them being winners. They\u2019re relentless, and that\u2019s 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\u2019ve 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,\u201d Anderson told JioHotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The midfielder admitted that the speed of his journey to the highest level has surprised him, even though he always believed he possessed the ability to reach this stage of his career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019m a little bit surprised! I guess it\u2019s 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\u2019m here, I\u2019ll keep pushing and trying to take this club forward,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
One of the immediate experiences awaiting Anderson in his new surroundings will be the Manchester derby, a fixture he has followed closely and now hopes to experience from inside the City dressing room.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the biggest derbies in the world. For as long as I\u2019ve known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester. So yeah, it\u2019ll be a great fixture, and I can\u2019t wait to be involved in something like that,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anderson also acknowledged the weight of history attached to Manchester City\u2019s midfield, particularly when it comes to succeeding a player of Kevin De Bruyne\u2019s stature.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Belgian spent years as one of the defining figures of City\u2019s success, and Anderson revealed that De Bruyne had long been a player he studied during his formative years at Newcastle\u2019s academy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anderson also acknowledged the weight of history attached to Manchester City\u2019s midfield, particularly when it comes to succeeding a player of Kevin De Bruyne\u2019s stature.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having established himself as one of the Premier League\u2019s busiest midfielders last season, Anderson now faces a different challenge at City: turning his rapid individual rise into success with one of English football\u2019s most demanding clubs. With trophies, a new manager and the Manchester derby all part of the journey ahead, the 23-year-old has made clear that reaching the top is only the beginning of what he hopes will be his next phase at the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n