Elliot Anderson is determined to put the disappointment of England’s World Cup campaign behind him as he prepares to begin a new chapter at Manchester City. The midfielder admits that the pain of losing in the semi-finals has not completely disappeared, but he believes dealing with difficult moments is an unavoidable part of professional football.

Anderson was part of the England side whose hopes of reaching the World Cup final were ended by Argentina. The defeat was particularly difficult for the midfielder because England had gone deep into the tournament and found themselves within touching distance of competing for football’s biggest international prize.

Several weeks have now passed since that painful result, giving Anderson an opportunity to process what happened. Although he acknowledges that he is still dealing with some of the disappointment, his attention is gradually shifting toward Manchester City and the beginning of the new domestic season.

The 22-year-old could make his competitive City debut when his new club face Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday. The fixture represents an immediate opportunity for Anderson to turn his attention away from international disappointment and toward the challenges awaiting him at club level.

Speaking about the emotional impact of England’s World Cup exit, Anderson admitted that recovering from such a major setback has been difficult. Football, however, constantly produces moments of celebration and disappointment, and he understands that successful players need to respond positively when things go wrong.

For Anderson, the most important issue is not simply experiencing defeat but determining how to recover from it. He has had approximately three weeks to think about England’s tournament and believes the arrival of a new season provides the perfect opportunity to move forward.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup final, Anderson can take considerable encouragement from his individual performances during the competition.

The midfielder emerged as one of England’s most impressive performers over the course of the tournament. He appeared in eight matches and played an important role as England eventually secured the bronze medal by defeating France 6-4 in the third-place play-off.

His statistics demonstrated both his technical quality and defensive contribution. Anderson registered an assist and completed 386 passes with an accuracy rate of around 90 per cent. He also made 19 successful tackles and recorded 28 clearances, illustrating his ability to influence matches in several different ways.

Those performances have given Anderson greater confidence ahead of his move to one of European football’s biggest clubs. Before the World Cup, he had never experienced a tournament or sporting occasion on such a huge scale.

Performing successfully under that level of pressure has convinced him that he is capable of handling the expectations associated with Manchester City. The World Cup provided a major examination of his temperament and ability, and Anderson believes he emerged from the experience as a more confident player.

His arrival at the Etihad Stadium could also come at a particularly important moment because uncertainty continues to surround the future of Rodri.

The Spanish midfielder has been one of Manchester City’s most influential players and has played a central role in controlling matches from the middle of the pitch. However, Barcelona are reportedly increasing their efforts to sign the 30-year-old.

The Catalan club have submitted a new offer worth approximately £51 million as they attempt to persuade City to sell the Ballon d’Or winner. Should Rodri eventually move to the Camp Nou, Manchester City would be left with a significant gap in their midfield.

Anderson could be among the players asked to take on greater responsibility if the Spaniard departs.

Replacing a player of Rodri’s quality would be an enormous challenge, but Anderson believes his versatility could help him adapt to whatever role his manager requires.

When asked whether he possesses characteristics similar to Rodri, Anderson expressed confidence in his ability to perform different jobs in midfield. He does not see himself as a player restricted to one specific position or responsibility.

Instead, he believes he can contribute creatively, carry the ball forward or operate in a deeper role when required. That flexibility could prove particularly valuable as Manchester City look to reshape their midfield.

Anderson has already held several conversations with his new manager about what will be expected from him. Those discussions have provided the midfielder with a clearer understanding of the physical and tactical demands he will face.

Energy and movement are expected to be important parts of his role. Anderson knows he will be required to cover considerable distances, contribute at both ends of the pitch and help City establish control over matches.

Controlling games is something Anderson believes suits his strengths. His passing ability allows him to help dictate possession, while his willingness to run and compete defensively gives him the potential to operate in a deeper midfield position.

At the same time, his ability to drive forward with the ball means he could also contribute higher up the pitch. That combination of qualities gives City several tactical possibilities.

However, Anderson will face enormous expectations because of the extraordinary transfer fee Manchester City paid to sign him from Nottingham Forest.

City completed a £116 million deal for the midfielder, making him one of the most expensive British footballers in history. For a short period, the transfer represented a new benchmark before Morgan Rogers completed a £117 million move to Chelsea.

Even though Anderson’s record was quickly surpassed, a £116 million valuation inevitably brings significant pressure. Every performance is likely to be examined closely, particularly during the early months of his City career.

The midfielder understands that the transfer fee will remain associated with his name. Rather than attempting to escape the expectations created by the price, however, Anderson plans to concentrate on the aspects of his career that he can control.

His priority is to focus on training, performances and adapting to his new surroundings. The amount paid for him was ultimately determined by the clubs involved, meaning Anderson believes there is little value in worrying constantly about the number.

His rise to this position has been remarkably rapid. Anderson began his professional career with Newcastle United before establishing himself at Nottingham Forest and developing into one of England’s most highly regarded midfielders.

His performances at club level helped earn him international recognition, while his impressive World Cup campaign further strengthened his reputation. He is now preparing to represent a Manchester City team accustomed to competing for the biggest trophies in English and European football.

The transition will bring new challenges. At City, Anderson will be surrounded by elite players and will face intense competition for a place in the starting line-up. He will also be expected to adapt to a system in which midfielders must be comfortable in possession and capable of understanding complex tactical instructions.

His World Cup experience could prove extremely useful in that respect. Playing eight matches at a major international tournament exposed him to different opponents, tactical situations and enormous pressure.

Although the competition ultimately ended in disappointment for England, Anderson can still look back on it as an important stage in his development.

Winning the bronze medal provided some consolation after the semi-final defeat, but it could not completely remove the frustration of coming so close to reaching the final. Anderson has therefore had to learn an important lesson about the emotional demands of elite football.

Major disappointments can arrive even when a player performs well individually. The challenge is to use those experiences as motivation rather than allowing them to affect future performances.

That is precisely what Anderson hopes to do at Manchester City.

The Community Shield against Arsenal offers him an immediate chance to begin creating positive memories with his new club. A competitive debut against the reigning Premier League champions would represent a demanding introduction, but Anderson’s recent international experiences should leave him well prepared.

There will also be considerable interest in exactly where he operates in City’s midfield. If Rodri remains at the club, Anderson may initially have more freedom to develop without immediately being asked to replace the Spanish star. If Barcelona succeed in completing a deal, however, his responsibilities could increase dramatically.

Anderson insists he is prepared for either scenario. Whether he is asked to create opportunities, carry possession into attacking areas or sit deeper and control the tempo, he is willing to adapt.

For Manchester City, that versatility was undoubtedly part of the attraction when they decided to make such a huge investment in him.

For Anderson himself, the move represents the next stage of a remarkable career progression. Only a relatively short time ago, he was beginning his senior journey at Newcastle. Now he arrives at the Etihad following a £116 million transfer and a World Cup campaign in which he proved capable of performing on the international stage.

The disappointment of England’s semi-final defeat may remain with him for some time, but Anderson is determined not to allow it to define what comes next.

Football careers inevitably contain both triumphs and setbacks. Anderson has already experienced that reality on the biggest international stage. His focus now is on responding in the best possible way.

A new season, a new club and potentially a major role in Manchester City’s midfield await him. With the World Cup behind him and the Community Shield approaching, Anderson is ready to turn disappointment into motivation and demonstrate why City were prepared to invest so heavily in his future.