Manchester City have been handed a significant defensive boost with Manuel Akanji’s return to full training. The centre-back has recovered from a pelvic and abdomen injury and trained with his teammates at the City Football Academy on Thursday.
City have struggled with injuries this season, which has hurt their performances. Key players like Rodri and Oscar Bobb have faced long spells on the sidelines, contributing to a disappointing run of just one win in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League and 22nd in the UEFA Champions League standings, City are desperate to turn things around.
Akanji’s return, alongside John Stones—who also trained with the group—offers hope for a stronger defensive lineup in the upcoming fixtures.
RECALL:
City’s most recent outing, a 1-2 loss to Manchester United, further highlighted their need for reinforcements at the back. The team has struggled to maintain consistency amid injuries to crucial squad members.
Guardiola’s men are now nine points behind league leaders Liverpool and must claw their way back into the title race.
With Villa Park up next, the return of experienced defenders like Akanji and Stones could provide the stability needed to get back to winning ways.
QUOTES:
Pep Guardiola has yet to comment directly on Akanji’s return, but an update on both Akanji and Stones’ fitness levels is expected in Friday’s press conference.
Guardiola previously emphasized the impact of injuries on the team’s form:
“We are not at our best, and injuries have played a part in that. But we must focus on getting the team back to full strength and improving our performances.”
CITATIONS:
Manchester City released official training photos on Thursday, December 19th, 2024, confirming both Akanji and Stones’ presence.
Updates on their match readiness are expected in Guardiola’s Friday press conference.
KEEP IN MIND:
Manuel Akanji’s return doesn’t guarantee immediate inclusion in the starting lineup for the Aston Villa clash.
Both Akanji and Stones’ match fitness will be closely monitored as Guardiola assesses his defensive options. A win against Villa could reignite City’s campaign and bring them closer to their title-challenging form.
