Manuel Akanji reveals which Man City player is least active and 'never responds' in WhatsApp chat
Akanji has revealed the player who stays quiet.
Manuel Akanji has revealed which teammate is least active in the Manchester City WhatsApp group chat.
The Switzerland international joined City from Borussia Dortmund in a £15 million deal in 2022.
He's become one of Pep Guardiola's most important players in that time, making 48 appearances in last season's treble-winning campaign.
Akanji remains a vital part of a City side attempting to win a fourth Premier League title in a row.
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His intelligence on and off the pitch means he's versatile, with the 28-year-old playing across the backline and even stepping into midfield.
City's success is down to Pep Guardiola's management and the number of strong characters in their dressing room.
Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland are among the names who aren't afraid to make their feelings clear.
Naturally, it means the City players are close outside of matchdays. During a chat with Pro:Direct Soccer for their 'UNLOCKED' series, Akanji opened his WhatsApp and spilt all the secrets.
He told Filly and Harry Pinero that the most active City star is Bernardo Silva, although Jack Grealish enjoys sending most jokes.
"Bernardo [Silva] is always responding when we get something in there," Akanji admitted.
Akanji then said teenage full-back Rico Lewis is the least-active and likes to keep himself to himself.
"Least-active? Probably Rico Lewis," he continued. "I don't know if he reads the messages but he never responds. I don't remember him ever sending a message in there. He is a great guy, though."
Lewis signed a new five-year contract in August following a successful debut campaign.
Guardiola thinks Lewis, who made his England debut in November, is one of the best talents he's ever trained.
The Spaniard explained to City's official website: “To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move in holding midfield, full-back coming inside moving in the spaces - he is one of the best I ever trained by far...
“When you play inside, you have to be 360 and you have passes coming from everywhere, that is the most difficult position to play. As a central defender, all you see is in front of you.
“He is a big talent and to find that is not easy, to come from the Academy, he always trained so good.
“I’m very pleased for him. He deserves all the praise from ourselves and the media - he deserves it.”
Topics: Manchester City, Manuel Akanji, Premier League, Rico Lewis
Daniel Marland