Akanji on Stones’ Inter Switch: He Can Adapt Quickly

The leap from the Premier League to Serie A is never just a change of scenery. It’s a change of habits, of reference points, of angles on the pitch. For John Stones, it also means stepping into Cristian Chivu’s demanding defensive system at Inter – a move that has already started with a goal in a pre-season friendly against Real Betis.

Manuel Akanji knows exactly what that shift feels like.

The Swiss defender made the same journey last year and admits the tactical jump from a back four in England to Inter’s tailored structure in Italy takes work.

“Physically, you come from the Premier League already very well-prepared. Tactically, however, it’s different,” Akanji told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I played with Stones at City in a back four, and I had to adapt. For me, it happened quite quickly, and I know John: he can do everything and he won’t have any problems either. Obviously, he’ll need help from his teammates and staff, but he’s ended up in the right place.”

From Manchester partners to Milan guides

Akanji and Stones built a strong bond at Manchester City. Now that relationship has simply been moved to another dressing room, with the 31-year-old effectively taking charge of his former teammate’s settling-in process.

He isn’t just a familiar face. He’s become Stones’ on-the-ground support in a new league and a new country – guide, translator, sounding board.

The reunion came with an unlikely twist. Before Stones’ transfer was even official, their families crossed paths on holiday.

“It was funny because just a few hours before his arrival was confirmed, my wife and I met his wife on the beach in Ibiza. Pure coincidence,” Akanji revealed. “We’re friends, and we’ve been on holidays together, and she told us: ‘I think we’ll end up coming…’ A few hours later, at home, I saw John’s message.

“Now I’m trying to introduce him to Inter. I explain everything to him; I try to translate; the other day I even took him to a restaurant. But he’s a great lad; he’ll adapt quickly.”

Inter’s armour thickens

Stones is not the only reinforcement at the back. Inter have also welcomed Benjamin Pavard back from his loan spell at Marseille, adding yet another high-level option to a defence already considered one of the most robust in Europe.

For Akanji, that congestion is not a problem to solve, but a weapon to sharpen.

“That’s exactly what we need to compete not only in Italy but also in the Champions League,” he said. “We have a formidable defence, among the best, and a great squad: in every position, there are at least two excellent players. Now we need to integrate the new players into the system, but the competition in training will be high, which will improve everyone.”

The message is clear: no one’s place is guaranteed, and that is precisely how Inter intend to raise their ceiling in Europe.

New season, new look, same hunger

Akanji used the summer to reset. He has even turned up with a new hairstyle, a small outward sign of a fresh start at 31, but his preparation has been anything but cosmetic.

He treated the off-season as a controlled pause, not a full stop.

“I don’t think it will take long to get back to 100%, because I was on holiday for three weeks and, as I normally do, I continued to train,” he explained. “Initially, I did a lot of running and gym work, and since my teammates returned from the tour, we’ve been working together on the pitch.”

The focus now is Monza on the opening weekend of Serie A, and the feeling of a reset he clearly relishes.

“Now I can’t wait to get serious with Monza: another season is a new beginning,” he concluded.

Inter start that new beginning with Stones learning the ropes, Pavard back in the fold, and Akanji right in the middle of it all – pushing, translating, competing. Exactly the kind of internal pressure a team needs if it truly intends to turn domestic dominance into a Champions League crown.