Jadon Sancho was among the many people left impressed by one Manchester City player yesterday.
We are now at the knockout stages of Euro 2024 and halfway through the tournament out in Germany.
It has been a fantastic couple of weeks so far, with goals aplenty and some really impressive team showings from the lower-ranked nations.
There have been some really solid performances from City players up to now.
Kevin De Bruyne has shone for Belgium, and Manuel Akanji has also been excellent for Switzerland.
Akanji featured once again last night for Switzerland against Italy in their last 16 match – and it was more of the same from City’s £15 million signing.
He wowed at the back, leaving former City academy prospect Sancho amazed.
Jadon Sancho reacts to another Manuel Akanji masterclass or Switzerland at Euro 2024
Akanji has been a terrific signing for City since joining the club in the summer of 2022 from Borussia Dortmund.
At the time of his transfer, there wasn’t a great deal of hype because the player’s reputation was nothing too special. But it quickly became apparent that City had snagged a total bargain.
Akanji has been sensational in sky blue, thriving anywhere across the backline under Pep Guardiola.
The star is always composed and combines solid defending with impressive ball-playing. He is every inch the modern-day defender.
Against Italy, Akanji was absolutely imperious at the back and had zero problems marking Gianluca Scamacca. He completed eight defensive actions according to Sofascore, and completed 54/57 passes (95%), one of which was ‘key’.
Following the game, Akanji took to social media. He wrote on Instagram: “Into the quarters we go. Amazing support from the fans once again!”
Many fans commented and there was a particularly nice reply from Jadon Sancho, who is a former City academy prospect and a former teammate of Akanji at Dortmund. He simply replied ‘The best!’
Ahead of Switzerland’s win over Italy, Rio Ferdinand had hailed Akanji, and stated that he does not get the credit he really deserves.
What a player
It has been a pleasure watching Akanji at Euro 2024 so far and he has undoubtedly been one of the best defenders at the tournament.
The 28-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong so far, and looks like he could actually lead Swizterland deep in this competition.
If England beat Slovakia this evening, then the Three Lions would be facing Akanji’s Switzerland in the quarter-final and that wouldn’t be ideal given the way he is playing. And also them as a team.
It is just amazing to think City landed him for only £15 million. Because these days, he looks like a £50 million player who would easily get into most teams in the world.