Manuel Akanji | City close to £15m agreement, 5 year contract

[MCFC1993]

Thank god, I've been saying we've needed 2 more players to help with our squad depth. Hopefully doesn't suggest a serious injury to Laporte or Ake.

Maybe frees up Stones and Ake to cover more positions.

We had centre back issues last season with injuries, it's a good price, gives us more formation options (3-5-2), although I personally don't want that, I don't really see a downside.



Wish we could get another attacker in as well.

 

[Mancity0303]

Lol. That was random

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Bit random, but the ginger wig might have heard Txiki correctly at the weekend.

 

[bumbleblue]

Can’t honestly say I know anything about him?
Will he be what we need?

 

[el wey]

I like this.

 

[BlueDejong]

Txiki is god...

 

[kippaxwarrior]

Thank god, I've been saying we've needed 1 or 2 more bodies. Hopefully doesn't suggest a serious injury to Laporte or Ake.

Wish we could get another attacker in as well.

Sure he can cover at right back as well?

 

[Kladze]

What in the world.... Out of nowhere.

 

[Trickyblues]

Yessss. Another under the radar signing. My favourite

 

[NQCitizen]

Really smart signing. Good quality, out of favour and can cover the entire back 4.

If we get him under 20m it's a Txiki masterclass.

 

[Ric]

Bit out of the blue, but we definitely need greater squad depth. Just hope the injuries to Laporte and Ake aren't worse than first feared.

 

[domalino]

I can only think maybe Laporte's injury is worse than expected, or Aké is about to drop a transfer request bombshell because the last month being 1st choice has made him realise he's too good to be 4th choice.

We have 4 incredibly good leftbacks and a big prospect in Mbete who Pep likes and has used.

We have loads of Lb cover between Cancelo, Gomez, Aké and JWE.

Akanji isn't likely to play RB.

 

[dadnlad]

get him bought been a big fan since i started reading this thread
off to fifa 19'20 for stats

 

[MCFC1993]

Sure he can cover at right back as well?

He's played there a few times.

More than likely frees up Stones to cover right back more often (possibly midfield too, he could do it but unlikely) and Ake to cover left back more often with Cancelo going to the right.

 

[Iamthemusicman]

I love these random out of nowhere signings.

 

[sirrmattmoo]

Hadn’t heard of him myself but found this interesting little article.

Bundesliga | Manuel Akanji: Who is the Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland defender hailed by Giorgio Chiellini?

Borussia Dortmund's Manuel Akanji has the brawn and the brains to thrive at the very highest level for years to come - and that's just the opinion of legendary Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. bundesliga.com profiles a centre-back with some very impressive career numbers...

amp.bundesliga.com

 

[kupest]

Wtf, so random. Though I am not sure we need him unless Ake is moved to LB backup of sorts. What are we going to do with 5 great CBs?
3 at the back maybe?

Edit: As mentioned above, only logical explanation has to be a serious injury or Ake moving. Though Chelsea have filled up their spots so that's unlikely.

 

[MillsyTheMosher]

Txiki really is the best director of football in the world isn’t he.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

He's played there a few times.

More than likely frees up Stones to cover right back more often (maybe even defensive mid with Phillips out) and Ake to cover left back more often with Cancelo going to the right.

I really hope you are wrong. Stones is useless at right back, barring against Brentford.

It‘d be much easier to buy another fullback, to me anyway.

 

[domalino]

Hadn’t heard of him myself but found this interesting little article.

Bundesliga | Manuel Akanji: Who is the Borussia Dortmund and Switzerland defender hailed by Giorgio Chiellini?

Borussia Dortmund's Manuel Akanji has the brawn and the brains to thrive at the very highest level for years to come - and that's just the opinion of legendary Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. bundesliga.com profiles a centre-back with some very impressive career numbers...

amp.bundesliga.com

He's one of those players who made a move to a decent side, plays really well for a bit and everyone can't beleive they got him so cheap, but then fades badly. Soyuncu would be similar, Weigl.