Pep Guardiola lauded Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji for his performance in his side’s latest 1-1 draw against Liverpool.
The Catalan tactician emphasised the brilliance of Akanji’s display in his press conference (via Manchester City’s official website), who played in Stones’ hybrid role as both a centre-back and a central midfielder.
The Swiss international is quietly having an excellent campaign, with Mark Schwarzer recently saying that he made the cut in his Premier League Team of the Season so far.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says Manuel Akanji was “unbelievable” against Liverpool
Considering how brilliant John Stones was in said role last season, it seemed like not many other centre-backs would be able to adapt to such a complex position.
Furthermore, the Englishman is the benchmark for how to play in such a position and any other central defender that does not match such high standards would likely get stick.
But Pep Guardiola feels Manuel Akanji was one of the standout performers for Manchester City as they drew to Liverpool on Saturday.
“Manu [Manuel Akanji] started to play in those positions, we spent a lot of time about the way you have to move, and against Liverpool, Manu and Rodri, it was a masterpiece from them”, Guardiola said, as quoted by Manchester City’s official website.
“They moved at the right tempo and at the right moment, they look at each other and break the lines, kept contact with the wingers, it was really good. Manu, hats off.”
He added, “The game at Chelsea was the same. I know the man of the match was Jeremy [Doku] but at Stamford Bridge and [against Liverpool], Manu was unbelievable.”
Manuel Akanji is only getting better and better in the hybrid role
Pep Guardiola is spot on as against both Chelsea and Liverpool, Manuel Akanji has looked tremendous in his hybrid role for Manchester City.
While the treble-winner’s displays against Sevilla and Newcastle United in the role were far from convincing, he has shown recently that he seems to be getting the hang of his newfound responsibilities.
Against Liverpool, the former Borussia Dortmund centre-back constantly found space in the middle of the park and seemed impossible to mark for the visitors at the Etihad Stadium.
Manuel Akanji utilised the time and space he was getting on the ball by constantly making the right pass and breaking the lines extremely well in what was another impressive big-game showing from him.
