Man City has been decimated by injuries the entire season, a predicament for a veteran team that’s left the four-time defending Premier League champions scratching and clawing for a top-five finish.
And while the Blues won’t be contending for a fifth straight title, they still have a shot at securing placement in next year’s Champions League. With less than a quarter of the season remaining, City could be receiving some much-needed relief sooner than expected.
The defence has been hit perhaps harder than any other unit with Pep Guardiola at times scrambling to piece together a back line devoid of regulars.
Fortunately, it appears that Manuel Akanji could reportedly return to action sooner than expected. The 29-year-old Swiss international has been sidelined with an adductor injury sustained back in February’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
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Akanji underwent surgery and has been on his way to recovery since. Last week, Guardiola provided an update (via OneFootball) on the Swiss star’s return to the pitch. In addition to Akanji, both John Stones and Nathan Aké are also currently shelved due to injury.
“He’s training better. All of them will come before the end of the season. I don’t know when but he’s getting better. It’s been a long time since he has been out. Same with John and Nathan, the three of them.”
Akanji also suffered another injury in December last year that kept him off the pitch. Overall, the centre-back has missed 17 games due to injuries so far this season.
How long is Manuel Akanji out for Man City?
Akanji is now expected to be back on the pitch in the upcoming two to three weeks, according to reputable Manchester City inside source ‘FPLMaineRoad’ on X. In late February, Guardiola offered a projected timeline of 10 weeks meaning a mid-April return would beat original estimations by at least a couple of weeks.
Returning in time for one or two additional fixtures could tip the scales in a tight table in which every point counts in securing UCL qualification for 2025/26.
Akanji has contributed to nine clean sheets and provided one assist in 30 appearances across competitions for Man City this season.
Man City is back in action against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, April 12, at Etihad Stadium.
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