Inter Milan swaps Pavard for Akanji: Swiss defender joins Chivu’s project

The Frenchman leaves for Marseille, while Inter Milan strengthens the backline with Manuel Akanji, fresh from Manchester City, bringing versatility and motivation

The Nerazzurri club finally decided to accept Marseille’s offer and let the French defender go. In his place, the Swiss international has arrived. On the last day of the transfer window, Inter Milan decided to sell Benjamin Pavard and signed Manuel Akanji from City. 

Matteo Barzaghi spoke about the double deal in an article for Skysport.it via Fcinter1908. The journalist, who follows the Nerazzurri, aims to explain why, with his arrival in defense, Chivu’s team becomes stronger.

“Pavard seemed to have lost his old motivations. At least that’s what the fans began to think after the famous photo of the padel match he played right after missing the Club World Cup due to injury. 

In recent weeks, he had refused Saudi Arabia and a higher wage. He wanted to stay in Europe to fight for a spot in the next World Cup. 

But during this summer, a farewell was in the air, and the call from Marseille erased all doubts and solved the situation,” it reads.

At Inter Milan came Akanji, who defeated the Nerazzurri in the Champions League final in 2023. “The Swiss international felt his story at Manchester was over. He can play in the center or on the right of a three-man defense. This is the advantage Chivu will have. Manuel is versatile and can cover all roles in the defensive unit. He adds physicality, a touch of speed, and great desire to start this new adventure,” adds the TV correspondent.

Akanji’s numbers highlight why Inter Milan gets stronger with him

The new Nerazzurri signing brings grit, fresh motivation, and quality in build-up play. “He is in the top 6% of central defenders in the top 5 leagues who attempted the most passes last season (78.69 per 90 minutes, according to Fbref.com) and in the top 4% of central defenders who completed the most passes (93.5% per match). 

But he is also in the top 1% for progressive passes (7.5 per match) and in the top 2% for progressive carries (2.22 per 90 minutes). 

With him, Inter Milan and Chivu do not just get a solid defender but also a player capable of guiding the team in possession. 

Akanji’s arrival is useful to reinforce a backline that was hit by Udinese and is now adapting to Chivu’s new ideas, who wants a higher and more aggressive defense. From now on, with him and Sommer, the team is much more Swiss,” the article concludes.