Manuel Akanji joined Manchester City on deadline day to provide cover at the back amid an injury crisis, and the 27-year-old has gone on to make three appearances and could stay a regular after impressing in defence.
After beating Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, City’s next game sees Manchester United coming to the Etihad Stadium. And while Pep Guardiola could have Nathan Ake, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte available for the derby, Noel Whelan believes Akanji’s place in the side is safe.
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When asked if the Swiss international could keep his spot in defence, he told Football Insider: “I do. I don’t think he’s been brought in just for backup. He looks a really useful player, and someone they can use and utilise throughout the season.
“We’ve seen his interviews, he’s a very confident young man. He’s quick, aggressive, good in the air – he’s the complete centre-back. I think he’s living up to his comments when he came in and was introduced to the media.
“These are opportunities you have to take. Players like Laporte are out of the picture right now, and he’s doing everything right to stake his claim and stay ahead of him in the side. He’s making everyone sit up and take notice.”
Laporte has been sidelined all season with a knee injury, having undergone surgery to fix the problem, so he’s not played football for months. Ake and Stones have spent time on the sidelines too, so Guardiola was down to one fit centre-back for a brief period.
But now Akanji has been brought in as City’s fifth defender, Guardiola has plenty of cover in case of injury. The 27-year-old plays well whenever he’s picked too, so he doesn’t deserve to lose his place when United make the short trip in October.
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