In a dramatic turn of events at the Etihad Stadium, Manuel Akanji, a cornerstone of Manchester City’s defense, has departed for Inter Milan on a season-long loan, driven by a candid and uncompromising message from manager Pep Guardiola. The 30-year-old Swiss international, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, was informed in no uncertain terms about his place in a crowded defensive lineup. Speaking at a Switzerland press conference while on international duty, Akanji revealed the blunt reality check from Guardiola: “He made it clear to us six central defenders that two would play and two would be on the bench. And that it would be difficult for the rest.” This stark warning, delivered as part of Guardiola’s squad management strategy, left Akanji with little choice but to seek new horizons, marking a pivotal moment in Manchester City’s ongoing squad overhaul.
Akanji’s exit is a significant shift for a player who played a key role in City’s historic 2023 Treble, contributing to seven trophies over three seasons. With 40 appearances last season, he was a regular in Guardiola’s lineup, but the arrival of new signings like Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, coupled with the return of established defenders, intensified competition. The depth in City’s backline, while a testament to their ambition, created an unsustainable situation for Guardiola, who has repeatedly expressed discomfort with leaving players out. “I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don’t want that. I will quit,” Guardiola declared earlier this year, emphasizing his desire for a leaner squad to maintain team morale and cohesion. For Akanji, this meant facing a season of limited game time, prompting his swift move to Inter, where a £13 million purchase option could make the transfer permanent in 2026.
The move has been an emotional wrench for Akanji, who admitted the sudden change was hard to process. “It’s still difficult to realise right now that I’m suddenly no longer part of the City family, although I still feel like I am somehow,” he shared, reflecting on his deep connection to Manchester, where his family had settled comfortably. “My family and I have felt very comfortable in Manchester, and we will definitely miss life there.” Despite the bittersweet departure, Akanji expressed excitement about his new chapter at Inter, stating, “I’m very happy it worked out. I like Inter very much.” His rapid integration into the Italian side, however, was delayed by the transfer’s late timing, as he noted, “I didn’t meet any of my new team-mates in Milan on Monday, as everything happened so quickly and there was no training.”
Manchester City’s squad dynamics have been under scrutiny this season, with injuries to key players like Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne exacerbating challenges during a trophyless 2024-25 campaign. Guardiola’s push for a squad refresh, underscored by over £170 million spent on January signings like Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez, reflects his urgency to restore City’s dominance. However, Akanji’s departure highlights the human cost of such ambition, as even a player of his caliber faced the prospect of being sidelined. His contract with City, valid until 2027, suggests a potential return, but Inter’s option to buy could close that door permanently.
The broader context of City’s season adds weight to Akanji’s exit. With the club facing 115 financial fair play charges and a verdict looming, Guardiola’s management has been questioned, particularly his handling of a bloated squad. “It’s impossible for my soul to [tell] my players in the tribune that they cannot play,” he admitted, revealing the emotional toll of his selection decisions. As City aim to secure Champions League qualification, Akanji’s move to Inter marks a turning point, both for the player seeking regular minutes and for a club navigating a transitional phase. Fans now watch eagerly to see if Guardiola’s gamble on a streamlined squad will reignite City’s fire, while Akanji embarks on a fresh challenge in Serie A.
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