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Manuel Akanji

Manuel Akanji
Akanji playing for Switzerland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Manuel Obafemi Akanji[1]
Date of birth (1995-07-19) 19 July 1995 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Wiesendangen, Switzerland
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Manchester City
Number 25
Youth career
2004–2007 FC Wiesendangen
2007–2013 FC Winterthur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 FC Winterthur II 18 (0)
2014–2015 FC Winterthur 35 (1)
2015–2016 FC Basel II 4 (0)
2015–2018 FC Basel 42 (5)
2018–2022 Borussia Dortmund 119 (4)
2022– Manchester City 71 (2)
International career‡
2014 Switzerland U20 2 (0)
2014–2015 Switzerland U21 6 (0)
2017– Switzerland 69 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:10, 4 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:07, 15 October 2024 (UTC)

Manuel Obafemi Akanji (Swiss Standard German pronunciation: [ˈmaː.nu.ɛl aˈkan.dʒi]; born 19 July 1995) is a Swiss professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Manchester City and the Switzerland national team.

An academy graduate of FC Winterthur, Akanji's professional career began in 2014, when he made his debut for the then-Swiss Challenge League club, having also previously played for the club's second team. He moved to first tier FC Basel in 2015, where he won consecutive league titles in 2015–16 and 2016–17, the latter of which was a double that included the 2016–17 Swiss Cup. Following his success with Basel, Akanji was sold to Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer window of 2018. During his stay in the Bundesliga, he helped Dortmund win the 2019 DFL-Supercup and the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal. He joined Manchester City in 2022, winning a continental treble in his first season with the club, as well as numerous other trophies, including one more Premier League title in 2023–24.

Internationally, Akanji represents Switzerland, making his debut for the senior team in 2017 after featuring for the under-20 and under-21 sides. He was a member of Switzerland's squad for two editions of the UEFA European Championship, in 2020 and 2024, as well as two FIFA World Cups, in 2018 and 2022.

Club career

Youth football and early career

Akanji began his youth career with the local club in Wiesendangen. In May 2007, Akanji changed clubs and was a youth-team player for FC Winterthur, featuring for their under-18 team and later with their second team. In the 2014–15 Challenge League, he became a regular starter for Winterthur, having played two games for them during the second half of the previous season.[3]

FC Basel

On 15 April 2015, it was announced that Akanji would be transferred to FC Basel for the 2015–16 Swiss Super League season.[4] He made his Swiss Super League debut on 26 September 2015 being substituted in against FC Lugano. Under manager Urs Fischer, Akanji won the Swiss Super League championship at the end of the 2015–16 Super League season.[5] Basel then won the 2016–17 Swiss Super League and 2016–17 Swiss Cup double, making it the sixth time the club had achieved this feat in its history.[6]

As Swiss Champions, Basel qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League and started in the group stage. Akanji played the full 90 minutes in all six games and helped the team finish second in its group, thus qualifying for the knockout phase.[7]

Borussia Dortmund

Akanji signed for Borussia Dortmund on 15 January 2018 during the winter transfer window for a reported fee of €18 million[8] He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract dated until June 2022.[9][10] On 2 February, Akanji made his BVB debut as an 87th minute substitute for André Schürrle in a 3–2 win at 1. FC Köln.[11]

On 27 September 2018, Akanji scored his first goal for the club and his first Bundesliga goal in a 7–0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg.[12] Akanji was widely criticised for his costly errors during Dortmund's failed challenge to Bayern Munich during the 2019–20 season. Akanji was one of the main players singled out as a weak link in the team.[13]

Akanji played the full 90 minutes as Dortmund beat RB Leipzig 4–1 in the 2021 DFB-Pokal Final at the Berlin Olympiastadion on 13 May 2021.[14]

Manchester City

2022–23 season

On 1 September 2022, Akanji joined Premier League champions Manchester City, signing a contract until 2027[15] for a reported fee of £15 million.[16] He made his debut for City five days later, starting in a 4–0 away win over Sevilla in the Champions League group stage.[17] He made his Premier League debut on 17 September, starting in a 3–0 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[18] He was voted the club's Player of the Month for October.[19] On 17 May 2023, he scored his first goal for the club, which was also his first in the Champions League, with a header deflected by Éder Militão in a 4–0 home win over Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg.[20] During the 2022–23 Premier League, Akanji played more minutes than any other Manchester City defender.[21]

2023–24 season

On 21 October 2023, Akanji received his first red card for Manchester City in a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.[22]

On 25 October, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3–1 win over BSC Young Boys in the Champions League.[23] He scored his first Premier League goal in a 6–1 win over Bournemouth on 4 November[24] and, on 12 November, scored in a third consecutive match as City drew 4–4 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.[25]

2024–25 season

On 10 August 2024, Akanji scored the winning penalty as Manchester City defeated Manchester United 7–6 on penalties to win the 2024 FA Community Shield after a 1–1 draw in regular time.[26]

International career

Akanji with Switzerland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Akanji made two appearances for the Switzerland U-20 national team. His debut was on 7 September 2014 in the 0–0 draw against the German U-20 national team. From 2014, he was a member of the Switzerland U-21 team and made his debut for them on 26 March in the 0–3 defeat by the Italian U-21 team.[citation needed]

On 9 June 2017, Akanji made his debut for the Swiss senior team in a 2–0 win against Faroe Islands in a 2018 World Cup qualifying match, where he played the entire 90 minutes.[27]

He was included in Switzerland's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and started all four of the team's matches as they reached the round of 16.[28]

In May 2019, Akanji played in 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, where his team finished fourth.[29]

In 2021, he was named in the Swiss squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[30] He started all five of Switzerland's matches as they reached the quarter-finals,[31] scoring his kick as the Swiss beat France in a penalty shootout in the round of 16.[32] However, in the quarter-final against Spain, he was one of three Swiss players to miss their spot kicks in the 4–2 penalty shootout loss.[33]

On 24 September 2022, Akanji scored his first senior international goal against Spain in a 2–1 UEFA Nations League victory.[34]

Akanji was a member of the Swiss squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and, on 7 December 2022, he scored the only goal for Switzerland in a 6–1 loss to Portugal in the round of 16.[35]

On 7 June 2024, Akanji was named in Switzerland's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[36] He played the full match in the team's opening Group A fixture on 15 June, as the Nati defeated Hungary 3–1 in Cologne.[37] He helped Switzerland reach the quarter-finals for a second consecutive European Championship, where his team was eventually eliminated by England on penalties. Akanji took the first spot kick for Switzerland in the shoot-out, which Jordan Pickford saved, and with both teams scoring their remaining penalties, England advanced by winning 5–3.[38] For his performances, Akanji was selected in the Team of the Tournament.[39]

Style of play

Akanji is known for his cultured style of play, which is characterized by his technical ability, composure on the ball, and excellent passing range.[40][41][42] He is also a strong and physical defender who is comfortable in one-on-one situations and is adept at intercepting passes and making tackles.[41][43][44][45]

His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions as well as his calmness under pressure is well-known among fans of the English Premier League. Akanji's passing ability is also a key part of his game, and he is often involved in building attacks from the back.[41][44][45][46] His long-range passing is particularly noteworthy, and he is capable of playing accurate diagonal balls to switch the play and create space for his teammates.[41][44][46] Due to his passing abilities, Akanji has been deployed as both a left-back and right-back, as well as occasionally a libero, much like teammate John Stones, by City manager Pep Guardiola.[46][47]

Personal life

Akanji was born in Wiesendangen, Switzerland,[48] to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father.[49] His sister Sarah is a former footballer for FC Winterthur Frauen and Social Democratic Party of Switzerland politician.[50]

In 2017, already a professional player, he completed his vocational training as a tradesman (″Kaufmann″). On Swiss TV in 2018 he showed excellent skills at mental calculation.[51][52]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 4 December 2024[53]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
FC Winterthur II 2013–14 1. Liga Classic 18 0 — — — — 18 0
FC Winterthur 2013–14 Swiss Challenge League 2 0 0 0 — — — 2 0
2014–15 Swiss Challenge League 33 1 2 0 — — — 35 1
Total 35 1 2 0 — 0 0 0 0 37 1
FC Basel II 2015–16 Swiss Promotion League 3 0 — — — — 3 0
2016–17 Swiss Promotion League 1 0 — — — — 1 0
Total 4 0 — — — — 4 0
FC Basel 2015–16 Swiss Super League 8 0 3 0 — 1[c] 0 — 12 0
2016–17 Swiss Super League 15 4 3 1 — 0 0 — 18 5
2017–18 Swiss Super League 19 1 3 1 — 6[d] 0 — 28 2
Total 42 5 9 2 — 7 0 0 0 58 7
Borussia Dortmund 2017–18 Bundesliga 11 0 — — 0 0 — 11 0
2018–19 Bundesliga 25 1 1 0 — 5[d] 0 — 31 1
2019–20 Bundesliga 29 0 3 0 — 6[d] 0 1[e] 0 39 0
2020–21 Bundesliga 28 2 5 0 — 7[d] 0 1[e] 0 41 2
2021–22 Bundesliga 26 1 3 0 — 6[f] 0 1[e] 0 36 1
Total 119 4 12 0 — 24 0 3 0 158 4
Manchester City 2022–23 Premier League 29 0 6 0 2 0 11[d] 1 — 48 1
2023–24 Premier League 30 2 5 0 1 0 8[d] 2 4[g] 0 48 4
2024–25 Premier League 12 0 0 0 0 0 5[d] 0 1[h] 0 18 0
Total 71 2 11 0 3 0 24 3 5 0 114 5
Career total 289 12 34 2 3 0 55 3 8 0 389 17
  1. ^ Includes Swiss Cup, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ a b c Appearance in DFL-Supercup
  6. ^ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ One appearance in FA Community Shield, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup
  8. ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International

As of match played 15 October 2024[54]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Switzerland 2017 4 0
2018 9 0
2019 9 0
2020 3 0
2021 13 0
2022 9 2
2023 10 1
2024 12 0
Total 69 3
As of match played 15 October 2024
Scores and results list Switzerland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Akanji goal[54]
List of international goals scored by Manuel Akanji
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 24 September 2022 La Romareda, Zaragoza, Spain  Spain 1–0 2–1 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
2 6 December 2022 Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar  Portugal 1–4 1–6 2022 FIFA World Cup
3 15 October 2023 Kybunpark, St. Gallen, Switzerland  Belarus 2–3 3–3 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying

Honours

FC Basel

Borussia Dortmund

Manchester City

Individual

References

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  4. ^ Ein neuer Verteidiger für den FCB: Manuel Akanji kommt vom FC Winterthur TagesWoche dated 15. April 2015
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