Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is hoping Manuel Akanji can play his way back into rhythm, starting tonight against Brentford at the Etihad.
Akanji struggled against Chelsea at the weekend, particularly in the first half, prompting the ire of Guardiola on the touchline on more than one occasion.
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The Switzerland international improved after the break and Guardiola explained he needs more minutes to find his best game.
He said: “Manu needs to come back to his form. The game we played previously against Everton, Manu was not in his best rhythm and we need everyone in his best rhythm.
“And Manu played really good in the moment we read the second half [vs Chelsea] what we should do, he increases his level.
“There are players who take rhythm more quickly. But Manu was injured two, three, four weeks. I rely on him a lot. Manu is an incredible player, as much you can play the more rhythm you have. That’s normal.”
Akanji’s need of minutes gives Guardiola a headache for the clash with the Bees with John Stones also available to play in the centre half/defensive midfield hybrid role.
Whoever plays will be tasked with helping City keep a clean sheet, something they have managed just once in their last five games.
Guardiola, however, does not obsess over clean sheets as he feels it can mask the main objective of winning the game.
“We love to have clean sheets, all the teams want it and we are no exception,” he added.
“We want the clean sheets and concede few goals. But at the end, we want to win the game. Sometimes you have periods defending well but you concede goals, and sometimes you don’t concede.
“Never since I arrived, have I focused on clean sheets, they know it. I don’t go to them and say you have to get clean sheets. If I say just clean sheets, they forget to play or defend and forget what they have to do.
“What they have to do is defend better – concede few, attack better and create more chances. This is always my target every time I prepare a game or make a meeting with them.”
