Pep Guardiola says Manuel Akanji switch 'scared' him after Man City training session

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Pep Guardiola admitted that playing Manuel Akanji at right-back in Manchester City's win over Southampton was a 'scary' prospect, given he had only been given one training session to familiarise himself with the position.

However, Guardiola conceded after the game that Akanji mastered the new position instantly, as the new defender continues to defy expectations since joining City on deadline day this summer.

And with Guardiola confirming that John Stones remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, he reflected on Akanji's 'perfect' performance against Southampton and his continued impact on the squad this season. ALSO READ: Manuel Akanji shows off new trick to help Man City solve defensive crisis Guardiola said: "I thought he could [play at right-back] but there are players you have to explain ten times, a player has to train ten times there to do what you are thinking, what you want him to do.

And this guy – we did just one training session. Just to tell him – and he got it. "The movement you have to do as a full-back, the high pressing, he didn’t do it once.