Dutch defender Ake delighted with form ahead of World Cup campaign

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake says he goes into the World Cup in good form.

The Dutchman is expected to start for the Netherlands at the upcoming tournament in Qatar after moving ahead of Stefan de Vrij and Matthijs de Ligt in the pecking order.

"I'm very happy with the way the season has started," Ake told The Telegraph. "I think last season was already a better season than the season before, so I just wanted to kick on and move on.

"I think everything is just more natural now without thinking too much. Maybe the first season wasn't great with injuries and stuff, and maybe because of that you start to overthink stuff or do things differently and now it just comes naturally.

"I'm getting a lot of game time and with that you get better and improve."