Manchester City centre-back admits he can play up to SIX positions under Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

The coaching and guidance of Pep Guardiola has enabled one Manchester City centre-back to play across up to six different positions.

The Treble-winning season arguably saw Manchester City subjected to their most tactical changes under Pep Guardiola since his debut season with the club, reverting to three central defenders at once when in position.

That strategy would often also see Pep Guardiola line-up with four central defenders in the same rearguard, with either of John Stones or Manuel Akanji appearing at right-back, and the latter also featuring as a left-back in their UEFA Champions League campaign.

The tactical flexibility of Akanji in particular has been widely hailed by many within the game, and the Switzerland international himself has spoken at length in the last few days about his development since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

Speaking exclusively to Men in Blazers, Manuel Akanji was asked to explain how Pep Guardiola has aided his development and football education, to which he also revealed an ability to play in up to six different positions for Manchester City today.

“I think definitely the thing with the positions, that I know I’m the most capable to play in more than just one or two positions,” Akanji admitted. “I mean, it’s like five or six positions that I can play now at this club and I’m really happy about it.”

The Swiss international continued on the subject of Pep Guardiola’s coaching, “He’s improved me a lot as well not just with the ball, but also defensively.

“We do a lot of defensive work with the defenders and work together as a unit and that’s one really important thing and everyone goes for each other. So I think he’s helped me a lot tactically with and without the ball.”

Manuel Akanji has been a mainstay for Manchester City during the opening weeks of the new season, gaining a starting berth in the central defensive roles in light of John Stones’ extended absence following his place in the European Championships final.

Alongside Ruben Dias, Akanji has been faultless during the opening three competitive games of the new season, forming a unit that has recorded victories against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield, as well as against Chelsea and Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

Next up for Manuel Akanji and his Manchester City teammates is an away trip to face West Ham United in the Premier League, marking the final game before the September international break.