Sky Sports pundit says Man City have a huge talent Pep Guardiola really rates

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji has been praised for his immediate impact on the team by Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson.

City signed the centre-back towards the end of the previous summer transfer window from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth a reported fee of just over £15m.

Since then, the 27-year-old has had an exceptional start to life in England, with the defender having made his ninth start of the campaign this weekend.

Given how much of a regular figure he has quickly become in Pep Guardiola’s side, the defender has now found himself on the end of some heavy praise.

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson had this to say about Akanji and his performances for City.

“His performances have surpassed expectations. Pep spoke very highly of him. Pep clearly trusts him.

“He is young but he has settled into that team so quickly. He has kept [Ruben] Dias out of the team at times.

“Akanji has been almost the first-choice centre-back. He is a top-class centre-back and I think there will be more to come from him. He will only get better under Pep Guardiola’s management.”

Man City welcome Sevilla to the Etihad Stadium in their final Champions League group game on Wednesday evening but could be without Manuel Akanji after he appeared to pick up a knock in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leicester City.

The defender is also expected to be apart of Switzerland’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, having featured at both the 2018 World Cup and 2020 European Championships for his country.

Switzerland have been placed in Group G, where they will face Cameroon, Brazil and Serbia in the Middle East next month.

Both Pep Guardiola and Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin will be sweating on the fitness of Akanji after Saturday’s injury concern.

The Blues are due to face Sevilla in their final Champions League Group Stage match on Wednesday, before hosting Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Fixtures against Chelsea and Everton at the Etihad Stadium also await Guardiola’s side before the campaign pauses.

City are already without defender Kyle Walker due to injury, although centre-back John Stones has recently returned to full fitness.