Robbie Earle has named Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji as his signing of the season in the Premier League.
The pundit lauded the 27-year-old’s impact on Pep Guardiola’s side on NBC Sport’s ‘The 2 Robbies’ podcast.
With Manuel Akanji often going under-the-radar for his vital contribution to this Manchester City team, Robbie Earle singled him out for praise.
Robbie Earle lauds Manchester City centre-back Manuel Akanji as his signing of the season
Branded as ‘unbelievable’ by Sam Allardyce, the Swiss international has been a class act for the treble winners in a multitude of positions.
While his arrival was initially sneered at by several fans and pundits alike, the former Borussia Dortmund centre-half has been a colossus for one of the best teams of all time.
Robbie Earle clearly recognises just how impactful Manuel Akanji has been for Manchester City, as he gave him his fair share of credit.
“My signing of the season is going to be a defender that’s come into a club and made a big difference, with not a huge fee and it’s surprised everybody in the league with his quality in all aspects of his game”, he said.
Robbie Earle went on to elaborate on why Manuel Akanji has been such a hit of a signing for Manchester City, saying, “Manuel Akanji at Manchester City and there’s a ton of others we can mention but in terms of surprising, quick, great defender, very good on the ball, not a big fee, anyone could have bought him really in the Premier League.”
“And Pep brings him and he’s versatile. He can play centre-back, right-back, left centre-back, left-back, he can play in all those positions and he has made a difference to this team that we thought was great before. “
Robbie Earle summed up how Manuel Akanji has elevated this Manchester City side, “He’s made a real difference in terms of, basically their results. There were some games in the Champions League where he did a remarkable job on that right-hand side against some quick players.”
“It’s got to be Akanji for me, given the impact, making that club better defensively is so important to their results and the trophies this season.”
Manuel Akanji has made a mockery of his doubters
Considering Manuel Akanji had a bit of reputation for being an error-prone defender in Germany, Robbie Earle is right in pinpointing how much of a surprise package he has been.
Since joining the Sky Blues, Akanji has barely put a foot wrong, whilst adapting to Guardiola’s system and being tasked to play across the backline.
It is telling that in the Champions League final as well, Kyle Walker ended up being a substitute while Pep Guardiola had full faith in the versatile defender to do the business.
Once again, City have proven their expertise in the transfer market, as Akanji has taught many a lesson on why not to question the club’s signings.
