Rodri gets a heated warning from Man City's blockbuster signing ahead of the Community Shield

Elliot Anderson acknowledges he remains obsessed with England's loss, yet the £116 million recruit is prepared to open a new chapter with Man City at the Community Shield.

Before the Community Shield clash against Arsenal, the 23-year-old midfielder admits that the pain of England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in 2026 has not faded. “It's really tough. I'm still struggling with it a bit. Football has its ups and downs. The important thing is how you get back up. I've had three weeks to reflect, but now it's a new season and you have to move forward.”

Anderson then helped England beat France 6-4 in the third-place match. He played all eight games at the 2026 World Cup, completing 386 passes with a 90% accuracy rate.

“I gained a lot of confidence knowing I can perform well on the World Cup stage. I had never played in such a big tournament before. It was a great test for me.”

That confidence comes at the right time as Man City enters a midfield restructuring under Enzo Maresca. Anderson joined from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to £116 million, setting a record for an English player before Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for £117 million.

The pressure could increase as Rodri's future remains uncertain. According to Sky Sports, Man City rejected a new offer of around £55 million from Barcelona. If Rodri leaves the Etihad, Anderson could take on more responsibility in the center of the pitch.

When asked if he could take on a similar role to Rodri, Anderson replied: “I think so. I can do different things in midfield and I'll see where I adapt best. I can play in any position, from creating chances, driving forward, to other roles if they ask me.”

He also revealed Maresca's demands: “I've spoken with the coach a few times. He explained what I need to do. There will be a lot of movement, a lot of energy. The goal is to try to control the game. That's something I can do.”

Regarding the huge fee, Anderson said: “It will always be attached to me. As long as I focus on myself and my performance, that's all I can do.”

The Community Shield against Arsenal could therefore be a special starting point: not for Anderson to forget the World Cup fall, but to see how quickly he can get back up in his new colors.