Craig Burley has expressed concerns about Manuel Akanji’s form for Manchester City, citing his recent mistakes, including one that led to Lois Openda’s goal in a 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig. Despite Pep Guardiola praising Akanji’s recent performances, Burley highlights a worrying trend, stating that Akanji has been making similar mistakes as he did during his time at Dortmund.
Burley acknowledges that Akanji’s struggles aren’t isolated, as other defensive players like Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Kyle Walker, and Nathan Ake have also had off games this season. For instance, Dias was too hasty in denying Openda’s second goal, and Ake struggled against Pedro Neto in a 2-1 loss to Wolves. Only John Stones has been error-free, but injuries have limited his playing time.
Guardiola had previously lauded Akanji’s performances and thanked Txiki Begiristain for securing the £180,000-per-week Sport Rac player’s arrival. However, Burley emphasizes the need for consistency, expressing concern that Akanji’s previous issues seem to be resurfacing.
Despite the defensive lapses, Guardiola remains committed to excellence, and with Stones expected to return from injury, the hope is that Manchester City’s defense will soon regain its regular operations. Burley concludes by noting that the entire defensive lineup has faced challenges this season, emphasizing the team’s commitment to maintaining high standards.
