Why Cardiff City should snap up exciting prospect Curtis Anderson

According to claims from reliable journalist Alan Nixon of The Sun, Cardiff City have been credited with an interest in teenage goalkeeper Curtis Anderson, who is currently a free agent after departing second-tier United States outfit Charlotte Independence. 

Born in Barrow, the 19-year-old started his career in the youth ranks of Blackpool before switching to Man City in 2012 to further his development. Anderson made several appearances for the Citizens across various age groups before bagging a move to the United States back in March 2019. 

However, the teenager has chosen to terminate his contract with Charlotte Independence after making only 10 appearances in the second-tier in North America for some unknown reason and Cardiff City are apparently keen to bring him back to English football on a free transfer. 

A part of the England U-17 squad that lifted the 2017 U-17 FIFA World Cup in India, Curtis Anderson played a pivotal role in the Young Lions’ triumph in that tournament, saving a penalty and converting his own in the penalty-shootout victory over Japan in the Round-of-16. 

As well as that, he was a part of the U-17 side that finished runners-up at the 2017 UEFA U-17 European Championship. The 19-year-old has also represented England at U-18 and U-19 levels in recent times and was held in high regard by the youth staff at Man City prior to his move to the United States. 

To put things into perspective, Cardiff City are currently not crying out for a 19-year-old shot-stopper but the Bluebirds are probably looking at Anderson as one for the future. 

That he played a part in the U-17 World Cup triumph in 2017 and has played for Man City are various youth levels is indicative of his vast potential and a move to South Wales looks like a good move for both parties involved.

Neil Etheridge, who managed as many as 10 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, has been out injured since the first game of the season but Alex Smithies has done a decent job for Neil Warnock’s side between the sticks. 

To add to that, Warnock also has the option of calling upon the services of the hugely experienced Joe Day, who arrived at the club from League Two side Newport County earlier in the summer, meaning that Curtis Anderson is unlikely to challenge for a first-team role even if a move does materialize. 

Lack of regular minutes could be a cause of concern for the youngster but he is still only 19 and a move back to familiar surroundings to arguably one of the biggest clubs in the Championship is likely to appeal to the shot-stopper.

Plus, of course, the prospect of working under an experienced manager like Warnock, in itself, is something that Anderson would be looking forward to. 

The former Man City starlet, though a bright young prospect, is yet to prove his credentials in senior men’s football in England and his experience in the United States second-tier is hardly something that a club of Cardiff’s stature would be looking forward to as something significant.   

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The 19-year-old needs to play regularly to continue his development and a loan move to a League Two club seems like a more realistic option if they do end up signing him. 

Nevertheless, Anderson has got the potential to make an impression in the years to come and the Bluebirds are likely to be aware of that.