The England midfielder has enjoyed an excellent start to life at City and has already become one of the first names on Maresca’s team sheet with his consistency and high performance levels also quickly making him a firm fan favourite.
Asked if he was surprised at how quickly he has settled into City life, Maresca said: “Knowing him now, no. He’s a guy who wants to learn every day.
“We start with him on the video, he wants to understand, learn and improve - which for a manager is a dream because you know he wants to learn and do different things.
“I don’t remember exactly [the first time I saw him play] but I remember the first conversation with him which was about which position, but again the feeling immediately was very good.
“You can see how intelligent he is. It’s important.
“I knew him from Newcastle where he struggled a little bit, then Forest. And I faced him with Chelsea different times.
“I know how good he is.”
Anderson will return to face his old club Nottingham Forest this weekend for the first time.
The City midfielder is still held in high esteem by Forest fans who are likely to give him a warm welcome on his return to the City Ground.
“It’s big game for Elliot but for all of us, all the games are important,” said Maresca.
“I’ve already said many times it’s not the main thing, players are human beings and the important thing is he’s a very good player, and he’s helping us.
“I don’t know [what the reception will be], but I guess a good one because what he did there was important. I hope for him he receives a good reception.”
Maresca also says he is still figuring out where Anderson can be at his most effective for City.
His midweek assist for Erling Haaland’s goal was very much in the style of the player Anderson admires the most – Kevin De Bruyne – but the boss says there are so many variants for his midfield, it will take time to figure who plays best where.
“In the end I’ve said many times, it’s a matter of balance,” said Maresca.
“We have Elliot, Ayyoub, Enzo, Phil, Rayan, Mateo, it’s just game by game depending a little bit on the gameplan to use different players.
“But at this moment Elliot plays as the holding midfielder, but in future I have no doubt he can play a little bit more in front.
“We started together three or four months ago, and he can do many things.
“He knows that - we had a conversation before the last Champions League game, we had a nice conversation on understanding the game and he’s slowly getting better and better.”
City v Fulham: Tickets on general sale
Don’t miss out on our Premier League clash against Fulham with tickets now on general sale.
The game between the Blues v the Cottagers takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 21 November with a 12:30 (UK) kick-off.
Enzo Maresca’s men had an unblemished record on home soil – four wins from four games - in the Premier League before the frustrating tight loss to Brighton last time out.
So the players will be eager to return to winning ways when Álvaro Arbeloa’s Londoners head to Manchester for this one.
Supporters can purchase up to four tickets – with three additional for Season Ticket Members!
Meanwhile, hospitality is available from just £130 in City Hall, housed within our new Pep Guardiola Stand.
But there’s a range of packages available to suit all needs, whether a special occasion for a loved one or for something professional for clients.
