‘Was very confident’ – Rio Ferdinand very impressed with Manuel Akanji’s debut performance

Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on deadline day signing Manuel Akanji after a “confident” debut for Manchester City in their 4-0 win over Sevilla in Tuesday’s Champions League opener.

The 27 year-old, who completed a deadline day move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, made his debut for the Premier League Champions on Tuesday night.

Starting alongside Ruben Dias in central defence, the Swiss defender had an impressive debut, as City beat Sevilla 4-0 in their opening Group G match.

Akanji was one of four City players to make their Champions League debut for the club on Tuesday night, with Haaland, Sergio Gomez and Kalvin Phillips also featuring.

The Swiss defender had an excellent outing, pulling on previous Champions League experience to produce an astute display

The centre-back clocked up 29 Champions League performances with former clubs Borussia Dortmund and Basel prior to his move to Etihad. And that experience is something Ferdinand noticed when assessing his display against Sevilla.

“I thought he was very confident. It shows he has had a lot of experience at this level with his previous clubs, and coming here it is a very astute signing from Pep Guardiola,” he told BT Sport.

“A man of his experience in the Champions League in a good footballing league, he has played international football as well, and it didn’t surprise me when he came here, he fitted like a glove and will be called upon many times this season and put performances in like that.

“We spoke about it at the start of the season, if defenders when they come into these situations, they don’t want to be defending all the time, they want to go through the game smoothly and without being called upon and he did that very well.”

Lescott added: “He was in the right places at the right time and that is the exact performance you want as a centre-half and if you can get through the game being comfortable and getting used to your surroundings, that is great. He looks to be a great signing.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was also full of praise for Akanji, following Tuesday’s Champions League Group Stage victory.

“A really good central defender that Man City bought. He did really well, his focus, attention. I see a quality quite similar to Aymer [Laporte], can break the lines with a pass. He read spaces really well. Very pleased for him,” said the City manager.

Akanji made over 100 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund, and could come up against his former club next week.