Manuel Akanji took questions today ahead of Manchester City’s UEFA Super Cup game with Sevilla tomorrow night – and he heaped praise on new signing Josko Gvardiol.
The defender was one of two players to speak to reporters in a press conference – the other being Rodri.
Akanji could well be starting the Super Cup in Athens against the Spanish outfit.
Ruben Dias has not been named in the squad after he suffered a concussion in training last week.
John Stones missed out against Burnley due to a hip issue. So the England international may not be risked from the start.
Akanji did play against Burnley.
And he also played against Arsenal in the Community Shield.
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He is therefore a good bet to start tomorrow night since he has momentum.
It remains to be seen if new signing Gvardiol gets a chance though.
The Croatian has arrived to huge fanfare – and Akanji has suggested that it warranted.
Manuel Akanji impressed with new Manchester City star Josko Gvardiol
One reporter asked Akanji today about Gvardiol.
And the Switzerland international could help but rave about the 21-year-old.
He said: “I saw him play, played against him. Really good defender for his age. This club, so many good players/staff, he can learn a lot. He’s settled really well. Not easy to join a team who won the treble. He’ll show what he can do.
Akanji, of course, came to City from Borussia Dortmund.
Gvardiol has just come to the Etihad in a £77.6 million deal from RB Leipzig.
So the pair have come up against each other before, and Akanji will know better than many what Gvardiol is really capable of.
Gvardiol an incredibly exciting addition by Man City
City fans are extremely excited about Gvardiol.
By many accounts, the £130,000-a-week star has genuine potential to become the best centre-half in the world.
It’s good to hear Akanji speak about him, given he’s a player who has shared the field with him before.
It will be quite interesting to see if Akanji will actually see fewer opportunities this season because of the Croatian.
Since Kyle Walker is now staying, there is surely no way he’ll be featuring as much as he did last term.