Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manuel Akanji’s adaptability and tactical understanding made him one of the key players on the team.
With Kyle Walker undergoing groin surgery earlier this week and John Stones still recovering from a sustained injury with England in late September, the defender played as a right-back during the 4-0 win. on Southampton on Saturday.
The Swiss international did not disappoint Guardiola, who continued his impressive start in the federation with another strong performance.
The City manager praised Akanji’s performance against Southampton, insisting that the defender’s unknown position was a test of his footballing intelligence.
Pip said, “You only have to tell him once [وهو] He knows “.
He continued: “He performs the defensive and offensive movements perfectly, and this is a gift for the coach.”
He stressed: “Some players have to explain ten times or train ten times to show what you think or what you want to do, this guy just needed one training session and he got it.”
He also explained: “The movement he has to do as a full-back, the high pressure didn’t train once and he did it perfectly.”
He added: “With the ball he is a great player, you have to have three players in defense and that is why in the position that Kyle usually plays. [ووكر] o john [ستونز]. “
He continued his admiration for the player, saying: “He was absolutely perfect, he proved once again that a smart person always pays off”.
Pep also revealed the latest developments on Stones’ injury.
The England international has yet to return to training with his team mates, but Guardiola revealed that the defender’s recovery is proceeding at a positive pace.
However, the Catalan insisted that Akanji’s performance against Southampton provided him with a viable alternative in both midfield and right-back and could be used in crises.
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Guardiola said of Stones: “He’s improving, but he still doesn’t train with us, I don’t know [متى سيعود]We hope he is better and will come back when he is ready. “
“Manuel has had a great impact since his arrival, the club has made a great deal – a good sign – and we are very happy.”
And he added: “I am very happy because today we discovered that if we need him to play as right back, he can do it.”
Regarding Stones Walker’s absence, he said: “With Kyle and John out for a long time, I don’t know when he’ll be back, he had this opportunity to play as a right back and he could go there.”
He concluded his statements by saying: “It is very important to have another weapon on the set and long balls, how strong it is with the ball and how well it fits, as it is complete in everything”.
