Elliot Anderson touched the ball 3,323 times in 2025-26. That kind of volume, along with 2,419 passes and 2,080 completed passes, is why he has become the clearest example of how much modern football now runs through central midfield.
He also had 58 touches in the opposing box, so this is not just about recycling possession. Di Canio's line about the midfielder needing to be "press-resistant" fits the profile Sky Sport Italia is pushing in its latest feature, built around a new episode of Di Canio Premier Special called Midfield: the heart of the game.
The market now pays for midfield control
The transfer side of the argument is just as blunt. Manchester City moved for Anderson at a €140 million valuation, while Bruno Guimarães was also valued at €140 million and Sandro Tonali at 108 million when Tottenham brought him to London.
Arsenal took Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle, and Manchester United tried to strengthen in the same area with Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. The pattern is hard to miss, clubs are paying premium money for midfielders who can defend, build and cope under pressure.
Anderson's numbers make the point from the pitch side. A midfielder with 3,323 touches, 2,419 passes and 58 touches in the opposing box is not being used as a passenger. He is being treated as the hub, and the fees around him show the market now agrees.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
