Manuel Akanji says one Manchester City teammate plays like he’s much older than he is.
Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund towards the end of the 2022 summer transfer window in a deal worth £15m, the centre-back has become a regular figure in the City team.
Having featured in 91 games for the Citizens, the 28-year-old has appeared alongside numerous other players at the club.
In fact, one of those players has now been the topic of conversation, with the Switzerland international sharing some significant praise for him and his efforts this season.
Akanji says Man City teammate looks so mature on the pitch
In a recent video shared on the club’s official YouTube channel, Akanji was asked what he’s made of Rico Lewis’ emergence from the youth academy to Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad.
He said: “Rico has been showing it in all the games he’s played. You can’t really tell that he’s that young anymore in the way he plays. Every time we need him, he’s there and he shows what he can do.”
After making his senior debut for the Blues during last season’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth, the 19-year-old then went on to make 27 appearances throughout City’s Treble-winning campaign.
This season has seen the Englishman feature in 26 games in all competitions, playing in numerous defensive and midfield positions along the way.
Rico Lewis has been a shining light for City
Akanji isn’t the only person at City to be so amazed by Lewis, as Guardiola said this about him back in October.
He said: What a player. 18 years old. I have been a manager for 14, 15 years training unbelievable players.
“To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move in holding midfield, full-back coming inside moving in the spaces – he is one of the best I ever trained by far.”
Taking all of that into account, it’s clear that Lewis’ versatility makes him a very useful figure for City and someone who could go on to be a very prominent player in the team for the foreseeable future, in our view.
