25 | Manuel Akanji - 2022/23 Performances

[mattcity5]

Yeah I just think it's unsustainable to have 5 top quality CBs in one squad. We've seen Laporte wants a move, if we buy Gvardiol or someone to replace him (or a proper LB and Aké goes back into CB), then someone else will probably want oto leave this time next year and we'll have a little rotating door, which is totally OK.

I don't think it's unsustainable if 4 of them are playing every game, which is pretty much what's happening. Though maybe under this system we need to class Walker as a centre-back too, but even then 6 with 4 playing isn't excessive.

Your right about the flow of players though, it's not a problem as long as we only have to replace one defender per season or something like that.

 

[Oystercatcher28]

Fast becoming a favoured player. He seems to be getting stronger on the ball. I bet if he leaves, he'll leave for a far higher price. Akanji is a great squad player.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

I like him, but I think we might sell him in a year or 18 months for £50m so he can go and start somewhere else like Newcastle or Chelsea because Stones, Dias and Aké are better IMO and he should want playing time in those peak years.

But all four will get game time.
Pep seems to have good time for him

 

[FantasyIreland]

We wont,but we could put him up for 60m in the summer and it would be a bargain.

 

[kaz7]

I wanted eric but fuck me manny played a blinder , bargain of the season

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Must be absolutely pinching himself. What a find.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Brilliant tonight @tolmie's hairdoo sorry you're wrong bud, he's a great squad player.

Not wrong, he's a squad player who was excellent in recent games.

£15m for a squad player is more then adequate.

As I say, he's brilliant when the ball is on the deck and the formation switch suits him just as it does for Ake.

When Akanji first came I thought we had the new Vincent Kompany, but then I saw him try to head the ball.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

I'm struggling to name another PL defender around the same price point who is anywhere near him.

 

[supercity88]

Not wrong, he's a squad player who was excellent in recent games.

£15m for a squad player is more then adequate.

As I say, he's brilliant when the ball is on the deck and the formation switch suits him just as it does for Ake.

When Akanji first came I thought we had the new Vincent Kompany, but then I saw him try to head the ball.

To come in at LB and play so well he deserves credit. Calm and composed on the ball, very quick. Put him in a wider position and we're in safe hands. As you say, aerially he's fucking awful which is quite a surprise. Just doesn't have the timing of the jump or desire to win the ball. Which is odd because he's a unit. Last night was the right game for him, in others Laporte will be far more suited because of his ability in the air.

I didn't see this signing coming, I didn't get why we needed him, but it's turned out to be a smart move. We were down to bare bones last season after the Atletico Madrid game and the club have rightly ensured we're better covered this season. Our style of play also helps. We don't over commit. We mix the game depending on the opposition. The long out ball to Haaland is working incredibly well and enables us to quickly stretch the opposition without needing our full backs so they're in position if we lose the ball.

 

[Irishblue93]

People keep saying "squad player" he's probably played more minutes then any other of our defenders this year. All across the back 4. What a signing