Akanji’s message on Stones is simple: talent is one thing, character is the other, and he believes the new arrival has both.
“Now I’m trying to introduce him to Inter. I explain everything, I try to translate; the other day I even took him to a restaurant. He is a great guy and will adapt quickly,” Akanji said.
That matters. Settling into a new dressing room is rarely just about training sessions. It is about language, rhythm and trust. Akanji appears to be acting as the bridge, and that could speed up Stones’ first weeks in Italy more than any tactical whiteboard.
Akanji does not sound worried about the physical side of the switch from the Premier League to Serie A. His bigger point is that the adjustment will be tactical.
“John and I like to play out and have the ball at our feet, but marking is the priority. In those aspects, we did an excellent defensive job as a team at Inter,” he said.
That feels like the key to the whole move. Stones has long looked most comfortable when he can defend aggressively and still start attacks. If he buys into Inter’s defensive demands quickly, the fit could be smooth.
Akanji returns for his second season in Milan after winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, and he also joked about his new look: “I needed a change. Most people say I look a little younger, which is not bad, considering I am 31 years old.”
Yet the deeper emotion is still international. The World Cup remains a wound, even as club football restarts. Inter’s Serie A opener against Monza on Saturday now offers the next chapter: Stones’ first real test, renewed competition in defence, and Akanji’s chance to turn reflection into momentum.