Manchester City's most reliable defender this season is a summer signing.

Former Borussia Dortmund star Manuel Akanji was signed as cover for other defenders in the summer.

However, he has turned out to be a key player for Pep Guardiola, playing 450 minutes more than any other defender this term.

“You try to do everything on the pitch but sometimes it doesn't work. Maybe it helped us a little bit in the game against Tottenham," Akanji stated of improving their form in recent matches, per the Manchester Evening News.

"We came out and we played really well. We scored four goals in one half, we didn't concede another one.

"It might have helped, it might have provoked us a little bit. Probably that's what he wanted. I think we showed a great reaction in the games that we've had.

“The results weren't always how we planned them or how we wanted it to be but we won the last three games so I think it's a good turn that we took. Hopefully we can keep on this winning streak."

“I feel great around the guys. Obviously we've got a lot of good players in the front and in the back," he added.

"We're playing good football. Every time I get the chance I try to show my best. I feel confident with the guys that I'm playing with and I think we could see that in the last few games.

"Every game is important but in January and February there are a lot of games. The Champions League is coming back now. It's another big competition and, yeah, we can't lose any games, we can't drop points.

"We know that and that's how we go into every game, to get the three points."