Jack Grealish names one of his toughest opponent in Man City training, he’s ‘rapid’ like Kyle Walker
Manchester City are blessed with a lot of top players, and a number of them are certainly ‘tough’.
Manchester City have been so successful over the last decade or so, and especially since the arrival of Pep Guardiola in 2016.
To dominate like City, everything has to be right. From player recruitment, to how players are looked after, to the actual training sessions themselves.
Over the past few years, City have signed some impressively physical players and so, there are probably a few very good candidates for the title of ‘toughest’ player in training in the squad.
Jack Grealish was asked that very question in a new video recently, and his answer may come as a slight surprise.
Jack Grealish names Manuel Akanji as one of his toughest opponents in Man City training, alongside Kyle Walker
Grealish has filmed a new video with Pro Direct Soccer, with the winger being asked a number of questions relating to his Manchester City teammates.
He branded Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland as the players with the most powerful shots, before lauding De Bruyne’s ability to shoot so well with both feet.
Grealish was also asked for the player he felt was the toughest.
The England international offered two names. One being Kyle Walker, and the other being Manuel Akanji, of whom he said: “Like Walks really, he just rapid, so strong.
“He’s just so hard to get past.”
Akanji is a player Grealish rates highly. After City’s win over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday night, the winger commented ‘What a player’ on the Switzerland international’s Instagram post.
Akanji has been a top signing
There is no doubt about it – Akanji has been one of the biggest bargain signings City have made since the 2008 takeover.
The fact he only cost £15 million is mind-blowing when you consider just what Pep has got out of him since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
Most people expected him to be a mere rotation option. He arrived without a particularly big reputation.
But right from the get-go, Akanji has been brilliant for City, with his versatility clearly hugely appreciated by Pep.
He recently made his 100th appearance for the club and few would have anticipated him doing that quite so quickly. But he has deserved to play as much as he has, and there’s no doubt that he will play a significant role once again in 2024/25.
