Manuel Akanji has hailed Ruben Dias' role in helping his settle on his Manchester City debut against Sevilla last week.
Akanji completed a reported £15 million switch to join the Premier League champions from Borussia Dortmund on deadline day.
The 27-year-old defender missed City's league meeting with Aston Villa following the birth of his second child days after penning a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
However, thrown amongst the thick of things amidst what could be deemed a minor personnel crisis in central defence for Pep Guardiola last week against Sevilla, Akanji delivered an assured all-round performance on his debut in sky blue.
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Goals from Phil Foden, Ruben Dias and a brace from in-form Erling Haaland sealed a stylish 4-0 victory for Guardiola's men at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
Akanji, who witnessed his centre-half partner cap off a fine defensive display with a goal in stoppage time, lauded Dias for helping him find his feet on his debut.
“When I watched any City games, I didn’t particularly realise for instance how Ruben Dias leads from the back," the Switzerland international said in an interview with The Athletic.
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"He (Dias) communicates a lot with everyone. I feel like those are things you don’t see on TV, also because you can’t hear it. He talks a lot and made it easier for me in my first game.”
City's scheduled Premier League clash with Tottenham on Saturday evening was postponed following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Friday afternoon.
The Blues straight return to Champions League action when they welcome Borussia Dortmund - Akanji's former employers - to the Etihad Stadium in midweek.
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Akanji added: “It (facing Dortmund) won’t be weird for me. I’m looking forward to the game.
"I’m trying to do everything to win. I didn’t come here to lose games, so I hope we can get the three points on Wednesday.”
With uncertainty over John Stones' fitness and Aymeric Laporte still recovering from surgery on his knee, Akanji could retain his place in the starting XI against Borussia Dortmund.
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The centre-half played with Erling Haaland in Germany and has revealed he spoke with the Norwegian prior to signing for the Premier League champions on the final day of the transfer window.
“He (Haaland) speaks up if he thinks it’s the time to do it. I like players who operate like that,” Akanji added.
“Obviously, it depends on how you say things, but it helps if you can have a conversation about anything that happened.
"Not only about football issues because I think in daily life works like this as well. I feel it’s important to tell your team-mates how you are feeling."
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With a keen desire to climb up the pecking order in the centre-back ranks at City, Akanji pointed to his own skills as a leader and what he can bring to the squad in the coming seasons.
He said: “I can be like this too - maybe not right now because I’m still getting used to the team! But yes, that’s how I am.
“If one of my team-mates makes a mistake on the pitch I wouldn’t kill him, because most of the time they will feel bad enough already. I might try to give him a solution, or tell him how I can try to help him."
Featured Image Credit: PA Images / AlamyTopics: Ruben Dias, Manchester City, Premier League, Champions League, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Erling Haaland, Bundesliga
