When Elliot Anderson completed a £116 million switch from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City last summer, expectation levels were sky-high. The 24-year-old had spent two seasons establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most compelling midfielders, and his performances had attracted interest from both Manchester United and Arsenal before City won the race.

That transfer fee was always going to invite scrutiny, but early evidence suggests Anderson is rising to the challenge at Etihad Stadium.

What the numbers say

Anderson topped multiple statistical categories at Forest last season — touches of the ball, duels contested, possession won, and fouls drawn — doing so in a side that cycled through four managers and barely avoided relegation. The step up to a title-challenging squad has not blunted his impact.

This season, he leads the entire Premier League in fouls drawn with 28, ranks second for duels won (66), and third for successful passes (610) and touches on the ball (851). Only Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke and Arsenal's Declan Rice have bettered him for successful passes in the opposition half and line-breaking passes — yet both players have clocked at least 66 more minutes on the pitch than Anderson.

Erling Haaland, who benefited from Anderson's assist in Manchester City's Champions League tie against RB Leipzig, was full of praise.