25 | Manuel Akanji - 2025/26

[handsofstone]

Said it last season but hes playing like the player we thought we were buying from Dortmund, a solid player who's concentration leaves a lot to be desired and who shouod be 5th choice

Shame Ake/Stones are so injury prone, can't see Pel letting Akanji leave

 

[CΛL]

Seems like our weakest link.. and that takes some saying since Gundo's legs are gone.



We need to let go of FOUR..

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Fuck knows how we do it.

For me, I don’t see how Kovacic gets back in the team with Reinjders and Gonzales and despite him being injured I’d look to get him out.

Akanji makes the most sense to shift from the 5 right sided centre halves we have.

Perhaps we could replace Ortega with an English keeper?

Reis unregistered for UCL?

 

[RayCTID]

Decent performance vs Juventus but going forward; and it is not that easy decision but he should be one of the players to be moved on. He isn't entirely wrong with his comments about CWC.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

I wonder why this might be.

Because he's nearly always available.
His performances are way below his level of 2 seasons ago but the unavailability of Ake and Stones is a major factor.

 

[alexmcity]

Because he's nearly always available.
His performances are way below his level of 2 seasons ago but the unavailability of Ake and Stones is a major factor.

Ake was available today, but it's Akanji who played...

Stones and Ake were available in 23/24 in the final 2 months, it's Akanji who played and helped us win 4 in a row.

It's like part of our fan base has undergone a brain operation and can't see obvious things. Pep not only rates Akanji but loves him. Our most available AND versatile defender, can play across the entire defensive line.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Because he's nearly always available.
His performances are way below his level of 2 seasons ago but the unavailability of Ake and Stones is a major factor.

I'm betting we only keep 1 of Ake or Stones and despite me wanting to keep Stones.. his skill set is more easy to cover.

Ake's skill set is much harder to match as he's much better defensively and can completely shut down elite players. And he's left footed and has better counter attacking pace and aerial dominance than Akanji!

 

[Don Karleone]

You didn't last long!! You're not wrong though.

Longer than usual to be fair.

 

[King Jay]

Looking at the squad I don’t see anyone beside the obvious ones already like KDB, Grealish.. Walker going. There‘s a reason for everyone to stay but Viana could look at Akanji and clear him out. Same with Ake and Stones. We haven’t forgotten the availability thing.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Ake was available today, but it's Akanji who played...

Stones and Ake were available in 23/24 in the final 2 months, it's Akanji who played and helped us win 4 in a row.

It's like part of our fan base has undergone a brain operation and can't see obvious things. Pep not only rates Akanji but loves him. Our most available AND versatile defender, can play across the entire defensive line.

I wouldn't trust Ake or Stones at this stage.
Akanji had a great season 2 years ago and was on the euro team of the tournament
I thought he didn't have a great last season but who did.
This HG business is really affecting our centre back decisions as I think Ake and Stones would be gone if it wasn't an issue

 

[Stelea]

Seems like our weakest link.. and that takes some saying since Gundo's legs are gone.



We need to let go of FOUR..

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Gundo was excellent in the last 3 months of last season. He is going nowhere due to his 1 year right to extend his contract. This season, he will do what he was bought to do last year and provide experienced back up

 

[colbee59]

We won 5-2 and your finding fault with players, some of our fans are a disgrace

 

[Silva2021]

I like Akanji walked out with my Son when he was mascot and made his day.

However, he has always had mistakes in him and history has been kind as 2 big ones where saved by Ederson/ Ortega at times which would have a huge effect.

Think it’s time he goes

 

[Paul1970]

Poor performance today, errors, including leading to a goal. Thank you for all his efforts throughout the years, but he always had a mistake in him.

We need to let go of 2 foreign players, and he should be on that list. Pep loves him and won't do it, though.

Needs to be took out of pep’s hands or we will struggle

 

[Bluesince1979]

He needs to go but i think Pep has a major soft spot , or blind spot if you like, for him and will shoe horn him in come what may.

 

[clarion]

Move on, it was 2 years ago.
Now he plays average and he is not on the level we need to beat Madrid, Barca, PSG, Liverpool. Fact

 

[Dazzle84]

Odd that he was on the left for me. Dias looked impressive on the left for a couple of seasons.

Although i think his absolute peak (Dias) was next to Stones, which probably explains it

 

[The Norfolk Blue]

Gundo was excellent in the last 3 months of last season. He is going nowhere due to his 1 year right to extend his contract. This season, he will do what he was bought to do last year and provide experienced back up

His energy in the previous game was such that it was like watching a 24yo not 34 .... Reijnders first choice with Gundo a more than capable back up, plus providing invaluable experience and knowhow in the dressing room.

 

[Centurions]

Gundo was excellent in the last 3 months of last season. He is going nowhere due to his 1 year right to extend his contract. This season, he will do what he was bought to do last year and provide experienced back up

Players under contract come and go all the time, this "he's extended his contract" is nonsense, it automatically kicked in.

 

[Centurions]

We won 5-2 and your finding fault with players, some of our fans are a disgrace

Don't know who you're responding to but their 2nd was entirely his fault. Could you explain how it wasn't?

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

He's usually available. He's decently athletic (certainly quicker on the cover than Dias or Stones). He can play anywhere across the back. He's comfortable passing the ball with either foot, so can play LCB if we have an attacking LB (you really wouldn't want Khusanov doing that or even Dias against a team that presses well). He also clearly played through injury a lot last season when he needed him, and that should count for something

However, he's prone to lapses in concentration, he's poor in the air, he doesn't play line-breaking passes very often, and he doesn't seem to be a great communicator (which isn't great when we're bedding in new players/getting players used to new positions)

His versatility and availability make him a very appealing squad option, so I expect he'll stay, but he would also be towards the top of my list of expendable players if we're looking to cut anyone