Manuel Akanji provides Manchester City dressing room insight following Borussia Dortmund switch

Manchester City’s dressing room is a “special” experience for players joining the football club, Manuel Akanji has revealed while detailing his own personal experience.

Akanji joined the reigning Premier League champions from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022 and has revealed that his first time being in the Etihad Stadium dressing room was a surreal experience.

In a deal worth just £15 million, the Switzerland international joined Manchester City alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips, going on to play a surprisingly crucial part in last season’s treble-winning season.

Since then, Akanji has established himself as a first-team regular for Pep Guardiola, racking up 77 appearances, playing as a natural centre-back as well as left-back and, more recently, offering his talents and versatility in a defensive midfield role similar to John Stones.

The reception of Manuel Akanji’s arrival was taken as more of a squad depth signing, however the 28-year-old has proven to be so far from such a tag-line, becoming a crucial cog in Pep Guardiola’s defensive unit.

Speaking during a recent interview with Schweizer Illustrierte, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manuel Akanji has described walking into the Manchester City dressing room for the first time as a ‘special experience’.

“It’s normal now, but when I came into the dressing room for the first time it was special,” he said. “It’s incredibly motivating to be on the pitch with the best players in the world. And when I defend against them in training, I want to show my performance.”

Akanji continued, “And I think I’m now at a level where I can do that well. Being challenged every day by people like (Erling) Haaland or (Jack) Grealish is incredibly great.”

Now in the final stretch of the 2023/24 campaign, Manuel Akanji will be seeking to further add to his trophy cabinet in Manchester as the champions seek to retain all of their trophies won in a history-making season last time around.

That defence of their various titles will face the ultimate test in March, as Manchester City embark on fixtures in all three of their remaining competitions, including a Premier League run of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.