25 | Manuel Akanji - 2022/23 Performances

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I think he's been mostly great since he came. My only issue is that he seems to lack aggression in a similar way to a young Stones. That's why I thought it was nice to see him squaring up to Callum Wilson in the last game. It would be nice if he developed a bit more of an edge to him.

But despite being a bit passive for a centre back, he reads the game well and he's a lot quicker than our other options. I've also seen his passing criticised but it's better than Dias and Ake's when they first showed up. He's also by far the most comfortable with his weak foot and I think that helps in the buildup.

He's got a couple of things to work on but I really don't understand the negativity.
 
Tugay One Cup said:
I think he's been mostly great since he came. My only issue is that he seems to lack aggression in a similar way to a young Stones. That's why I thought it was nice to see him squaring up to Callum Wilson in the last game. It would be nice if he developed a bit more of an edge to him.

But despite being a bit passive for a centre back, he reads the game well and he's a lot quicker than our other options. I've also seen his passing criticised but it's better than Dias and Ake's when they first showed up. He's also by far the most comfortable with his weak foot and I think that helps in the buildup.

He's got a couple of things to work on but I really don't understand the negativity.
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A huge signing , without him we would have struggled badly.

Not going to say he will be with us long term but he deserves far more respect than he is getting from a lot of the fan base.
 
Credit where it's due, I thought he was absolutely fine yesterday. One or two silly moments like that foul in the second half but some nice long balls and looked pretty assured. I think in general he's looked very solid since being paired with Ruben. Definitely needs improvement in those passive moments where you just want him to stick his foot in and he backtracks, but he's a clever defender and Pep clearly likes him.

It's all opinions but I think he's had a decent enough first season. There have been some dodgy moments but what defender doesn't have them from time to time, especially at a new club? Just look back to Ake's first season where he couldn't even get in the team, or John's when he looked nervous as hell in certain games. The fact that Akanji has come in, played 20 odd games, adapted to a new league, new country, and new system, all while competing with world class teammates for a starting spot, has been pretty impressive overall, especially for 15m. Terrific bit of business in my opinion.
 
normskih said:
You might but it seems Guardiola doesn’t. For some reason Akanji fits the bill and to be fair to him, for most of the season he’s done what he’s been asked to do.
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Laporte looked less wobbly during last season's title run in and besides that Laporte is lacking sharpness after an lengthy injury.
 
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RayCTID said:
Laporte looked less wobbly during the title run in and besides that Laporte is lacking sharpness after a lengthy injury.
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I think he was dropped to the bench again after the result against Forest. I seem to recall him just watching as an attacker ran passed him leading to their equaliser? I do feel for him, like you, I would play him alongside Diaz as centre backs but Pep thinks otherwise.
 
normskih said:
You might but it seems Guardiola doesn’t. For some reason Akanji fits the bill and to be fair to him, for most of the season he’s done what he’s been asked to do
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Until we resolve the problem with the availability of full backs, Akanji is going to get a lot of game time.
Yesterday we had four centre backs playing, two playing as full backs.
Assuming that Ake continues at left back for the remainder of the season, Dias and any of the other three should be good enough as the centre backs.
 
Did not want Akanji, i had watched him plenty of times and he was full of mistakes, we got an absolute steal, he has ironed out most of his mistakes and offered us new options, we do have 5 CB`s though so it looks like one could go, that is until you look at Ake being first choice left back which could continue next season since it is working so well, and Stones spending every winter on holiday, plus 62 games, might be we can not afford to let one go.
 
normskih said:
I think he was dropped to the bench again after the result against Forest. I seem to recall him just watching as an attacker ran passed him leading to their equaliser? I do feel for him, like you, I would play him alongside Diaz as centre backs but Pep thinks otherwise.
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Before the Forest game Laporte hardly played and did look off the pace.
 
Played well tonight.

I still think he’s too passive at times but ultimately he’s been a solid signing considering the price.
 
Never really praised him ,always thought he was an Ok defender but tonight he was superb , his physicality and his reading of the game was exceptional , Stones , Dias and Laporte have all had injury issues and Akanji has proven an astute signing.
 
I've definitely been critical of him as I think he is the worst defender on the ball in our side, but I probably should remember that he is also new and has had good performances.

There's no reason he can't be better as well, if those weaknesses can be reduced he really does become world class, but it will take a bit of time.
 
WallyA said:
I've definitely been critical of him as I think he is the worst defender on the ball in our side, but I probably should remember that he is also new and has had good performances.

There's no reason he can't be better as well, if those weaknesses can be reduced he really does become world class, but it will take a bit of time.
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He is better than Dias and Ake with the ball .
 
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