A BBC pundit has criticized the £180,000-per-week salary of Manchester City’s star player following their defeat to Aston Villa. The loss, considered one of the club’s poorest performances during Pep Guardiola’s tenure, raised concerns among City fans after previous draws against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur.
During the match at Villa Park, City was outplayed by Unai Emery’s team, leaving Guardiola without a solution. Josko Gvardiol struggled against Leon Bailey, contributing to City’s inability to control the game and break down Villa’s defense.
Analysis of the game highlighted the midfield arrangement as a factor in City’s struggles. Martin Keown, commenting on Match of the Day, remarked that Manuel Akanji didn’t seem comfortable against Aston Villa, especially as Rodri was suspended, proving to be a costly absence.
Akanji, frequently deployed in a midfield role this season, had an inconsistent performance against Villa, prompting Keown’s comment about his discomfort in that position. This shift in Akanji’s play style has led to questions about his suitability for such a role, particularly as City seem to lack their previous dominating form.
The evaluation of Akanji’s effectiveness in midfield remains ongoing, with City enduring a challenging period, including four winless games, hinting at a potential crisis under Pep Guardiola’s management.
Despite Akanji’s struggles, the entire team had a disappointing night, raising doubts about his adaptability to this hybrid role despite his prowess as a ball-playing defender since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. While he excels in that aspect, his physical strength and agility in midfield seem to fall short compared to players like Stones. This leaves uncertainty about how long Akanji will continue in this advanced position for City.
