Manuel Akanji’s time at Manchester City has been an undisputed success.
In his two full seasons at City, Akanji has won two Premier League titles, one Champions League, the FA Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup as well as the UEFA Super Cup and his debut campaign was one where his side won the treble.
Erling Haaland described Akanji as “the underrated one” at Manchester City as he continues to impress during his time in England.
Rio Ferdinand raved about Akanji as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League as well.
Jamie Carragher lauded Akanji’s move to Manchester City as a bargain as well.
The Swiss colossus seems to be getting the credit he deserves.
Manuel Akanji says Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker are his best friends at Man City
The 29-year-old seems to have gelled with his Manchester City teammates from day one.
It is no coincidence that the former Borussia Dortmund defender seemed to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s demands from the very start as he must have instantly felt at home upon putting pen to paper.
Speaking to the club’s official in-house media, Akanji was asked who his best friend is at the Etihad Stadium and he named both Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker.
“I’ll probably either say Nathan [Ake] or Kyle [Walker]. I spent most of the time with them. In the training camp and also around.”
Ake named Akanji as Manchester City’s most underrated player — touching on just how versatile he is as a player.
Walker gave his reaction to Akanji’s missed penalty at Euro 2024 by admitting that he hoped it was any other player apart from him during Switzerland’s penalty shootout loss to England in the last-eight.
Akanji once gave intriguing Man City dressing room insight
Considering the amount of pressure Manchester City are under to win trophies, it is key for the players to come together and form a strong bond.
Despite competing for a place in the backline at City, it is nice to hear how close Akanji’s bond seems to be with Ake and Walker.
However, in August, the decorated defender revealed that in Manchester City’s dressing room, there is an insatiable desire amongst the players to win trophies.
Akanji told BBC Sport: “It [the standard] is set by everybody.”
“Everyone here is here to win titles.”
“You feel it in a changing room and from the whole club that the goal is to win as many titles as possible.
“You get so many players that are experienced and know how it is to be in this type of race when it gets to the knockout stages.”
While the players seem to be very pally at Manchester City, Akanji’s revelation would have been music to the club’s supporters’ ears to discover the unique winning mentality within the dressing room.
