Kevin De Bruyne has lauded Manchester City’s decision to sign Manuel Akanji this summer, with the Swiss international a surprise arrival from the reigning Premier League champions.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the 31-year-old playmaker has lauded Akanji’s work rate and performances for City ever since the defender joined the club in late August, with Pep Guardiola’s side paying a reported £15m to sign the centre-back in what was one of the most surprising deals of the entire window.
Akanji was linked with a move away from Dortmund all summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United just two clubs who were reportedly interested in the former FC Basel star. However, it was City who swept in late with an offer to sign the defender, and the results so far have been quite impressive.
The 27-year-old has started City’s last four games in all competitions, keeping two clean sheets and impressing against the likes of Wolves and former side Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, with Akanji’s arrival a great relief for the likes of Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.
With City’s main starting centre-backs both recovering from injury, having a quality defender in Akanji is great for Pep Guardiola, who will now be feeling he doesn’t have to overwork Dias and Laporte. And for De Bruyne, it feels like the Swiss superstar has been part of the club for many years.
De Bruyne said when asked about Akanji’s impact on the City squad: “Absolutely unreal. He came, didn’t train much, played absolutely great. It feels like he’s been playing here for a while. To have five centre-backs of the quality we have, we’re lucky. We’ll need them, injuries can happen.”
Signing Akanji could help Manchester City finally achieve European dream
Akanji’s arrival was certainly a surprise for many fans. However, the defender is already proving to be quite the addition for City, with the centre-back looking comfortable at the back alongside the likes of Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker. And this signing could be what’s needed to help Guardiola finally win silverware in Europe with the Manchester side.
Indeed, quality depth at centre-back is crucial for any side looking to go far in the UEFA Champions League, and City now having these options with the signing of Akanji could be what is needed to see the Manchester giants go all the way in Europe’s elite club competition.
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