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

[Sir Joe Aguero]

Low risk signing that means we don’t have to rush back our main CBs and we can rotate. Sounds good to me.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

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.

Could be that Laporte's injury is bad (obviously hope it isn't) or could be that the back up plan is to go with three centre halves, so we need another one in the squad?

It's a bit of a relief to get an extra body in. Hopefully he's up to it but I don't think we'll be asking too much of him, all things considered

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

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.

Nowhere for Ake to go though, is there. And I'm fairly certain our replacement wouldn't be Akanji.

 

[domalino]

I wonder if this is because the backline has looked a little slow with Walker in midfield instead of covering for the centrebacks.

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

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.

Does seem an interesting one, and would suggest between Laporte, Ake and perhaps even Mbete’s injuries there’s something the Club are seeing which they aren’t happy with.

He can play LB too, so gives us options there if we want to play Cancelo on the right (where in my opinion he has much more potential).

Can’t see him playing at RB though, like you say. But having him in the squad would reduce the reliance on playing Cancelo on the left as much as we do, which means he becomes more of an option at RB.

Akanji is primarily a CB though, so if we’re signing him that’s where he’ll be playing most of his football.

 

[MCFC1993]

Completely out of the blue.

Has struggled the last couple of years, but there's a player there. Worth a pop at that price.

Agreed, centre backs can develop late as well. Van Dijk was 25 when Liverpool signed him.

There is something there, he has the physical attributes, he's fast, he was really promising as a young player, might just need Pep's guidance.

 

[horlock_was_super]

If there's any truth to this, I'll take two.

"Akanji likes to carry out his defensive duties at centre-back, but, comfortable playing with either foot, has also been successfully deployed on the right and left. Standing at 6'1" and weighing 85 kilograms, he also boasts impressive speed.

His specialty, however, is bringing the ball out from the back, be it via well-timed runs or long, accurate passing in a manner not too dissimilar to retired Anderlecht, Hamburg, Manchester City and Belgium defender, Vincent Kompany".

6’1”? I thought 5’9” was the required height these days.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Nowhere for Ake to go though, is there. And I'm fairly certain our replacement wouldn't be Akanji.

Leicester? Not a great option.

 

[merz]

I don't know about this one. I mean I kinda get it, ake plagued with injuries, stones never fully fit, laporte out... followed his whole career as I am swiss too but the last 2-3 years weren't great. very promising when he joined dortmund. I guess with the experience he brings he can be an asset as a squad player but thats about it.

 

[Decepticon]

5 center backs wow! I guess Pep wants to play 3-5-2 after that Palace performance. ;-)