Frank Lampard believes Manchester City have ‘a fantastic player’ who was superb at Euro 2024.
The tournament is almost over now, with just four countries left standing.
One of France, Spain, England or the Netherlands will be victorious, and Manchester City are guaranteed to have at least one player in the final, with England and the Netherlands facing off next Wednesday.
England booked their place in the last four after edging past Switzerland on penalties.
After the game had finished 1-1, it went to extra-time and then to a shootout, with Jordan Pickford becoming a hero once again for his country.
He made one save from Manuel Akanji and that proved to be the difference, with England faultless.
Akanji was consoled by his teammates Phil Foden and John Stones at full-time, which drew praise from Gary Lineker – and Frank Lampard then praised the City centre-back.
Frank Lampard delivers ‘outstanding’ verdict on Manchester City star Manuel Akanji
Akanji played every single minute for Switzerland at Euro 2024.
He featured in the middle of a back three with Fabian Schar and Ricardo Rodriguez, and the trio have all been great over the last few weeks.
Akanji continued his great form against England. He completed an incredible 105/114 (92%) passes, and won 4/5 duels (via Sofascore).
Sadly, Akanji was the only man to miss in the penalty shootout. He tried to find the bottom right corner, but Pickford guessed right, and there just wasn’t enough power or accuracy behind the shot.
It was a real shame, because Akanji has given a fantastic account of himself over the last few weeks, and after the game, Lampard put in a nice word for him.
The former City midfielder said: “Akanji has had a great tournament. Just to give him a shout-out as well. He is a fantastic player. But there has to be a person (to miss).”
Akanji was excellent at Euro 2024
It is such a shame Akanji had to be the one to miss his penalty.
City’s £15 million signing had barely put a foot wrong out in Germany and perhaps on course to win a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Hopefully that will still happen because he was simply brilliant for Switzerland in their five games.
Akanji was solid as rock in the middle of that back three, and showed all the traits City fans see on a weekly basis. He was immaculate with his passing, and constantly put his body on the line and helped make Switzerland so hard to beat.
Hopefully he can put this behind him fairly quickly and return to City ready for the 2024/25 season.
