Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes that Manuel Akanji's adaptability is one of his biggest attributes.

The central defender can fill in different positions in the Spanish coach's system, making him invaluable as a rotation option.

A summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, Akanji is playing more than expected due to several injuries across the City back line.

“With [assistant manager] Carlos Vicens on set pieces, he said: 'you only have to tell him once [and] he knows it'," Guardiola said of Akanji, per the club website

“The movement defensively and offensively, he executes it perfectly. This is a gift for the manager.

“Some players, you have to explain ten times or train ten times to show what you are thinking or what you want to do. This guy needed just one training session and he got it.

“The movement he has to do as a full-back, the high pressing, he didn't train once, and he did it perfectly.

“With the ball he is a magnificent player. Our build-up should be three in the back and that's why in the position we normally play Kyle [Walker] or John [Stones].

“He was absolutely perfect. Proof again that intelligent people, always it pays off."