£15m Manchester City star officially named as one of the best players at Euro 2024
Several Manchester City players had successful campaigns at Euro 2024.
While only Rodri won the tournament as Spain’s vice-captain, he was not the only player at City who fared well in Germany.
The likes of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and John Stones were solid at the back for Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands and England respectively as well.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Belgium side were eliminated from the Round of 16 in a 1-0 defeat to France but his individual displays were impressive — but the team never seemed to gel under Domenico Tedesco’s guidance.
- The 14 Man City stars at Euro 2024: All their group stage fixtures, kick-off times and how to watch
Manuel Akanji named in Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament alongside two Man City players
Similarly, other Manchester City players did not produce at the level they were expected to at the European Championship.
Phil Foden struggled to really get going, Kyle Walker was flawed defensively, particularly against Spain and Slovakia while apart from Bernardo Silva’s opening goal against Turkey, he failed to particularly impact proceedings as a right-winger for Portugal.
In the official Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament, Akanji — whose Switzerland side were knocked out of the competition by England in the quarter-finals on penalties managed to cement his place in the XI.
The £15 million man was named in the team alongside his Manchester City teammates, Walker and Rodri.
Manuel Akanji warranted a place in the side
Akanji was one of Switzerland’s leading lights at Euro 2024.
As Frank Lampard stated, the 28-year-old had a “great tournament” and his missed penalty in the shootout that led to Murat Yakin’s side exiting the competition does not change that.
The former Borussia Dortmund centre-back formed a brilliant partnership with Fabian Schar and Ricardo Rodriguez as a part of a back three — showcasing his excellent reading of the game, expansive passing range and dominance in duels.
From making crucial interventions inside the box to extinguishing any threat down wide areas, Akanji’s positioning and tackling was exemplary.
For much of the tournament, Akanji was the best centre-half at Euro 2024, alongside France and Arsenal’s William Saliba.
While the Swiss international would be plagued by his missed spot-kick against England, he has every reason to be proud by being named in the Team of the Tournament as his performances merited such an honour.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
TalkSPORT pundit praises ‘exception
After Manchester City won their previous Premier League title, several figures from their squad featured in the 2024 European Championship.
In fact, City had more figures from their squad (14) selected to represent their nations in the tournament than any other side in the top flight.
After four of those players made it to the final, one of them has now found himself on the end of some praise for his efforts throughout the competition.
Phil Thompson praises John Stones after Euro 2024 campaign
While reflecting on the recent tournament, Phil Thompson had this to say on talkSPORT about how John Stones performed for England.
He said: “John Stones to me would have come out of it with a bit of credit. I thought he did very well.”
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