Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji says: ‘I’m ready for the challenge’
Manuel Akanji met The Athletics Pol Ballus to discuss how his transfer from Borussia Dortmund went, with Manchester City not being the only option during the summer’s transfer window.
“The process of moving to City started the weekend before the transfer deadline. In a few days it all went through – that’s why none of the media knew about it, because it happened all of a sudden. I’m glad it happened and I’m here with this team now.” Akanji told Ballus
“The transfer window was long. I had a lot of conversations with my agent and there were some offers but nothing felt right until then [Manchester] City came to me and then it was clear that I wanted to do this.” Akanji went on to join Leicester City as a club that had expressed an interest, and the Swiss international wasn’t sure if he wanted to leave the Bundesliga.
The 27-year-old was not afraid to enter the club behind four established players, including John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake.
“I knew the situation at Man City. I’ve watched a lot of their matches over the years and I knew they already have a world-class game in the team. I’m ready for the challenge. It might not be easy, and I can don’t expect me to play every game, because we have so many games that are canceled, and we have injuries, swe’resions, whatever.
“The club told me we don’t have number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – we are all players in that position, and the guys who train the best and play the best are going to play. [Pep] Guardiola will make changes that cannot be used if “e playing the same team every game, there will be problems – your body just can’t handle it.” Akanji sequel
Erling Haaland has been a huge help in establishing Akanji as he goes on to say he has been in touch with Jadon Sancho since he moved to Manchester and also played with the England international in Dortmund.
Scroll to continue
Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland
IMAGO / Revier photo
“I am in contact with Jadon [Sancho] a lot. with Erling [Haaland],,I spoke before I came here of course, we also kept in touch when he left the club.
“They told me here that I will learn a lot in training because the intensity is so high that it becomes a lot harder. It’s not like we’re doing different exercises than Dortmund, but the quality and intensity make it so much higher. It’s hard and that shows you can get used to the Premier League. I think it’s a lot faster than in Germany.”
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings