Manchester City are unbelievable operators in the transfer market.
The club have slowly constructed an incredible squad over the years, and fans now get to watch a plethora of world-class players week in, week out.
Of course, Manchester City signing players is a collaborative effort.
Due diligence is done on all targets once the scouts have done their initial work, and then it is up to director of football Txiki Begiristain and his team to actually get the player to the club. After Pep Guardiola has given the green light, of course.
With the exception of the odd one or two, City really do tend to get it so right in the transfer market – and that really was the case just over two years ago when the club landed Manuel Akanji.
Manuel Akanji has proven incredible value for money after 100 appearances for Man City
Against West Ham United, Manuel Akanji lined up for his 100th appearance for the club, following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund just over two years ago.
Akanji’s move to City raised eyebrows at the time.
He did not exactly have the reputation of being a top, top defender in the Bundesliga. He was clearly good though, otherwise City would not have moved for him.
But very few people thought he would prove to be as good a signing as he has.
Many thought he would simply become a rotation player, getting minutes here and there and easing the workloads of the likes of Ruben Dias and John Stones.
But Akanji has been used heavily pretty much since he arrived at the Etihad, showcasing wonderful consistency and incredible versatility. There is not a position in the backline Akanji hasn’t played, and it is very rare that he has a poor game.
Akanji – who has played the most passes of any player so far this season in the Premier League – has also played the John Stones hybrid role on occasion. While he is not as good as the Englishman in that role, he has still done well at times.
Somehow, it still feels as though he doesn’t quite get the credit he truly deserves. Erling Haaland did brand him ‘the underrated one’ recently when he was describing his teammates.
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City have done some amazing bits of business since the 2008 takeover.
In more recent times the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Julian Alvarez and Stefan Ortega have been exceptional value.
And Akanji is right up there with those guys. The Switzerland international has been brilliant since he stepped foot through the door at City and it may well be that he is in line for a new contract soon.
His current deal doesn’t expire until 2027. But City do like to reward their players and Akanji is just always available and always delivers. He would deserve a new deal for all he has done so far.
There’s no doubt about it – he has been integral to City’s haul of trophies over the past two years, and Txiki and his whole team must take great pride in his signing. Getting Akanji for just £15 million was truly a stroke of genius.
