Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville waxed lyrical over a Manchester City player who doesn’t get too many headlines, during the huge 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.
City ground out a win over Spurs down in north London to go two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Erling Haaland scored twice for the visitors, first from a perfect Kevin De Bruyne cross and then in injury-time from the penalty spot.
Stefan Ortega made huge saves from Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son to prevent the hosts from getting back into the contest.
There were some nerves for City, but thankfully the quality told in the end.
One man who had a solid game, barring one moment, was Manuel Akanji – and both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville praised the defender during the match…
‘What a buy he’s been’ – Carragher and Neville praise Manchester City’s signing of Manuel Akanji
Akanji started in defence tonight alongside Ruben Dias, and the Switzerland international stayed in the backline.
Sometimes in games, we have seen him push on into midfield like John Stones does.
But with Pep Guardiola deploying Mateo Kovacic alongside Rodri in midfield, there was little need for that against Spurs.
And that seemed to suit Akanji, who had a really good game. He just had one iffy moment when he showed too much of the ball to Brennan Johnson which allowed Heung-min Son to race through.
Thankfully, he had the brilliant Ortega to bail him out.
But just before that, Jamie Carragher praised City’s signing of him in the summer of 2022. He said on Sky: “We talk about the money Manchester City have spent on lots of players throughout the team.
“But what a buy he’s been Akanji, for £15 million.”
Neville added: “I was just thinking, what would we have done for that pace?! Just a yard! Just that acceleration then to get back.”
Carragher said: “Plays right across the back four and does a job. He’s always in the team. There are so many options for Pep. John Stones is on the bench, Dias was on the bench a few weeks ago. That man (Akanji) always plays.
Akanji is one of the biggest bargains in recent Man City history
Overlooking his mistake that allowed Heung-min Son a chance to equalise, Akanji was fantastic against Spurs.
As per Sofascore data, he completed 51/54 (94%) passes and also made four clearance, which was the most of any player on the pitch.
Quite simply, he has proven to be an amazing bargain for City.
To have paid just £15 million for a player who is so versatile and consistent is remarkable, and huge credit must go to whoever was involved in bringing him to the club.
Undoubtedly, he is one of the biggest bargain signings the club have made since the 2008 takeover.
