Manuel Akanji and John Stones in midfield simply won’t work as they’re both not fit enough to play the role | OneFootball

Ever since Rodri went down with an ACL injury against Arsenal in September there has been a hole in Manchester City’s midfield. So far Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Rico Lewis have been asked to step into Rodri’s shoes. All told, they haven’t been able to provide what Rodri does to Pep Guardiola’s side. In all honesty, no single player could. Rodri is the Ballon d’Or winner and the best midfielder in world football. Now it has been suggested that Manuel Akanji and John Stones could be the next players to step into the role. But you do get the sense that neither player could play the role.

Paul Hirst has reported for the Times that Manuel Akanji and John Stones are set to be given the opportunity to play in midfield. If that move is successful, Manchester City may not look to sign a midfielder in the January transfer window, Hirst further reports. Whether or not Stones or Akanji start in midfield is something to watch for when the starting lineups are announced for Manchester City’s crucial Premier League fixture against Chelsea.

READ MORE: Yet another injury issue strikes Manchester City’s defence.

Manuel Akanji and John Stones do have the talent to potentially play as a number 6. But there is one major problem with the idea. That is the fitness of both Stones and Akanji. This season, John Stones has had an injury-interrupted campaign. He has only just returned from injury. It’s a valid question to ask: is Stones’ body capable of playing in midfield? All of the available evidence suggests not. Akanji is in a similar position. He has battled on through fitness issues for Pep Guardiola’s side all season long. It wouldn’t appear to be a wise move to play him in a role that demands more from the Swiss international. Plus with City’s defensive injuries they’ll likely need Stones and Akanji at the back.

The idea of playing Stones and Akanji in midfield for a game or two may work. But it appears to be a stretch to ask them to do it consistently over the second half of the season. You do get the sense that Manchester City simply have to sign a midfielder during the current transfer window. The band-aid solution just doesn’t appear to be viable based on the fitness issues Stones and Akanji have faced this season.