Garth Crooks has expressed his surprise at how Manchester City were able to sign Manuel Akanji at such a bargain fee.
The outspoken pundit made this very point as he picked the 27-year-old in his BBC Sport Premier League Team of the Season.
Considering Manchester City signed Manuel Akanji for just £15 million (Sky Sports), Garth Crooks remains in shock.
What Garth Crooks said about how much Manuel Akanji cost Manchester City
The Swiss international has had a terrific debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, operating at centre-back, right-back and left-back, whilst thriving everywhere and anywhere he has been deployed.
Even Jamie Carragher said that while he expected the former Borussia Dortmund defender to just be a squad player, he has admitted to have been proven wrong.
Garth Crooks, who raved about Manuel Akanji also admitted his surprise at how much of a bargain he has been for Manchester City.
“What a season this lad has had. Strong, powerful and quick, I can’t think of three better qualities in a defender and Manuel Akanji is equipped with all of them. He also has enough ability to handle the ball in difficult areas, which is essential if you are a defender who has any ambitions to play regularly for Pep Guardiola.”
Garth Crooks went on to hone in on how much Manuel Akanji cost Manchester City, saying, “What is amazing about Akanji is that he only cost City around £15 million from Borussia Dortmund; how is that possible in this day and age? Manchester City do have a habit of finding these gems and Akanji is definitely one of them.”
Manuel Akanji has a case for being the bargain of the season in the Premier League
Garth Crooks is certainly fair in being surprised as it is bizarre how other clubs did not snap at the chance to sign the Manchester City stalwart.
It’s safe to say that Akanji has silenced all his doubters, having barely put a foot wrong in a variety of positions whilst being a regular starter for a side that could win the treble.
Alongside names such as Joao Palhinha and Leandro Trossard, the recently-crowned Premier League winner has been up there as one of the best low-cost coups in the English top-flight at least, if not the best.
