Nedum Onuoha compares Manuel Akanji to Man City great after Champions League debut

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has heaped praise on Manuel Akanji after his Champions League debut.

The Blues won 4-0 against Sevilla as Pep Guardiola's side got off to the perfect start in Group G. Erling Haaland maintained his incredible run of form as he added two more to his total for the season, joined on the scoresheet by Phil Foden and Ruben Dias.

City had a few defensive injury concerns heading into the match with both Kyle Walker and John Stones ruled out of the Blues' European opener. This saw Guardiola hand starts to both Akanji and Sergio Gomez who helped keep a clean sheet against their Spanish opposition.

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Onuoha was seriously impressed with Akanji's performance as he told City's in-house media that the defender reminded him of a former centre-back at the club.

He said: “Manuel Akanji physically was very dominant and very good on the ball as well and he made it so difficult for their attackers. It’s so easy to take a step back and allow people to do stuff in front of you, but he wanted to have an impact on the game.

“Whoever he was up against, they knew he was right behind them, and attackers don’t like it when you put them under pressure even when the game is done. In that way one of the people he reminded me of in the game was Vincent Kompany. Not to say he’s got the same impact but in that respect [staying tight to opposition forwards] it’s a very similar trait.

“It was a very, very good debut, and you could see that he’s played in the Champions League before. You can see he’s come from a top-quality side and you can see he fits into this City side."

Onuoha also shared his thoughts on Gomez's