“We did just one training session, Just to tell him and he got it – Guardiola on Akanji

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for his player Manuel Akanji.

He was very surprised at the level the yougster performed against a tough Premier League opponent like Southampton.

He say:

“I thought he could [play at right-back] but there are players you have to explain ten times, a player has to train ten times there to do what you are thinking.”

“What you want him to do. And this guy – we did just one training session. Just to tell him – and he got it.”

“The movement you have to do as a full-back, the high pressing, he didn’t do it once. And he did it perfectly.”

“With the ball he’s a magnificent player. Our build-up [against Southampton] should have been with three at the back and that’s why normally I play Kyle [Walker] or John.”

“We thought he could do it, it was a little bit scary as he hadn’t proved he could do it before.”

“He had to go up the pitch, pressing, come back defending the crosses at the far post. He didn’t miss once, absolutely perfect.”

“It proves again, intelligent people always pay off. Really good, Manu has made a huge impact since he arrived.”

“Again the club made an incredible decision with him. When you are intelligent, I didn’t know him but you realise immediately.”

“I only had to tell him once and he knows it, the movement defensively at set pieces. He did it perfectly. It’s a gift for a manager, a gift.”