Pep Guardiola says Manuel Akanji switch 'scared' him after Man City training session

10.10.2022 - 01:19 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Pep Guardiola admitted that playing Manuel Akanji at right-back in Manchester City's win over Southampton was a 'scary' prospect, given he had only been given one training session to familiarise himself with the position.

However, Guardiola conceded after the game that Akanji mastered the new position instantly, as the new defender continues to defy expectations since joining City on deadline day this summer.

And with Guardiola confirming that John Stones remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, he reflected on Akanji's 'perfect' performance against Southampton and his continued impact on the squad this season.

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Guardiola said: "I thought he could [play at right-back] but there are players you have to explain ten times, a player has to train ten times there to do what you are thinking, what you want him to do. And this guy – we did just one training session. Just to tell him – and he got it.

"The movement you have to do as a full-back, the high pressing, he didn’t do it once. And he did it perfectly. With the ball he’s a magnificent player.

"Our build-up today should have been with three at the back and that's why normally I play Kyle [Walker] or John, we thought he could do it, it was a little bit scary as he hadn’t proved he could do it before. He had to go up the pitch, pressing, come back defending the crosses at the far post. He didn't miss once, absolutely perfect.

"It proves again, intelligent people always pay off. Really good, Manu has made a huge impact since he arrived. Again the club made an incredible decision with him. When you are intelligent, I didn’t know him but you realise immediately, I only had to tell him once and