Redaction Simon Brett with Dan Murphy
Published on 2024-02-21 17:30:00
After Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Brentford, Manuel Akanji’s performance should serve as an important example for his teammate Kyle Walker. While the win was largely due to Erling Haaland’s decisive goal, it was Akanji who stood out on the pitch.
Akanji, who had been criticized in recent weeks for his struggles in the inverted midfield role, showcased his versatility by filling in at left-back against Brentford. With John Stones on the pitch, City looked much more comfortable, and Akanji was able to push forward from left-back without the pressure of dictating play in the middle.
Despite this opportunity to take shots from a more advanced position, Akanji modestly admitted that he doesn’t usually shoot that much. This self-awareness and composure in the final minutes of the game is something that Kyle Walker, his teammate, could learn from.
Walker, who has been known to take hopeful shots from distance that often result in giving the ball away, should take inspiration from Akanji’s controlled approach in the closing stages of the game. Walker’s tendency to shoot from distance, as seen in a game against Chelsea, could benefit from the decision-making and restraint that Akanji has shown.
Learning from Akanji’s performance could help Walker improve his game and contribute to better decisions on the pitch. Walker should reflect on Akanji’s impact in the game against Brentford and use it as an opportunity to enhance his own performance moving forward. By recognizing and emulating Akanji’s strengths, Walker can become a more effective and reliable player for Manchester City.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
