Nathan Ake looked to be on the brink of leaving Manchester City in the summer, but a late turnaround saw him enter his third season with the Blues.
He’s found consistent game time hard to come by at the Etihad, having to step back for the likes of Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and John Stones. His own injury problems haven’t helped and Manuel Akanji’s deadline day arrival looked ominous for the Dutchman.
But it’s precisely the setbacks Pep Guardiola has endured in defence that have allowed Ake’s summer decision to be proven right. His manager’s philosophy of retaining players in his line-up who haven’t let him down has seen Ake play in four of the last five Premier League games, starting and playing the whole 90 minutes in the last three.
He also put in a stellar display in the 2-1 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund and he can hardly be blamed for the loss to Liverpool. The defender’s ability to play at left-back has certainly helped, playing there twice this season despite the acquisition of Sergio Gomez.
It’s contributed to him being given his first real consistent run in the City side since his arrival, and it’s fully deserved. Few expected Ake to be used so frequently at the start of the season and maybe neither did the player himself.
But he has stepped up to the plate when needed, keeping four clean sheets in nine outings. How long this run will continue is unknown. With Dias, Stones and Laporte itching for minutes, he is only a mistake or poor performance away from being dropped.
But for now, he has earned the right to bask in his well-earned starter’s status ahead of what could be a busy World Cup for the 27-year-old in Qatar next month.
Jazyelavila
0
And his he a racist ? Fool who told you I did not read that , just come out calling someone racist just because he want his team in a certain way .. how
And when I commented what I did of the players that I listed I was saying he had a lot of players from other races that succeed but please keep commenting with out reading what I said and what I was replying too
Jazyelavila
0
And his he a racist ? Fool who told you I did not read that , just come out calling someone racist just because he want his team in a certain way .. how
I was defending pep by saying there has been a lot players that succeeded with Guardiola and then left because he likes to rotate a lot. So no you didn’t read right from my first comment stating some of the players from a different color playing under him
Foybcnoptz
0
Kompany and fernandino played for Guardiola a while just like yaya you’re and sane Jesus sterling are still mid age. And all the players just like at man city offer goals the comment was calling pep racist do you think before commenting
And his he a racist ? Fool who told you I did not read that , just come out calling someone racist just because he want his team in a certain way .. how
Jazyelavila
0
Those players you mention , how old are they , team they went to , what are they offering ? Haaa do you guys really think before you comment at all? Or just for the sake of it ?
Kompany and fernandino played for Guardiola a while just like yaya you’re and sane Jesus sterling are still mid age. And all the players just like at man city offer goals the comment was calling pep racist do you think before commenting
Deuabcosz
0
so stupid indeed haters of pep go again, is manuel akanji white?
The same people saying CR7 thinks he’s bigger than United so what do you call that?!
Deuabcosz
0
so stupid indeed haters of pep go again, is manuel akanji white?
Walker is not white. Kalvin is not white. I am black but people keep telling false accusations. The problem between Toure and pep started in Spain not in Manchester what people fail to understand.
Foybcnoptz
0
What about this players and players that left like Jesus sterling sane kompany Fernandino all players that played a lot but just like Guardiola likes to do is rotate a lot and players some times preferrer to start all matches
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Those players you mention , how old are they , team they went to , what are they offering ? Haaa do you guys really think before you comment at all? Or just for the sake of it ?
Jazyelavila
0
all the blacks will finish at man city pep is racist...
What about this players and players that left like Jesus sterling sane kompany Fernandino all players that played a lot but just like Guardiola likes to do is rotate a lot and players some times preferrer to start all matches
Jazyelavila
0
thats what xavi needs to learn, to stand by those who have done right by you, thats how you gain and build your worth, value and respect from players.. and for your success you need your players trust, loyalty and esteem.
How has xavi went against that from what I’ve seen and heard. Xavi has always counted with this players which I think the only one his doubting is busquets, but he understands that one thing is being a coach to a friend. His always given this players chances and takled about them highly even when people disagree
MarkMillz
0
so stupid indeed haters of pep go again, is manuel akanji white?
Ask them
Ziuaiknz
1
all the blacks will finish at man city pep is racist...
Manuel Akanji is white right
TiyanjaneChalamwendo
4
meanwhile...
rehmnory
1
so stupid indeed haters of pep go again, is manuel akanji white?
Monbcekpty
1
thats what xavi needs to learn, to stand by those who have done right by you, thats how you gain and build your worth, value and respect from players.. and for your success you need your players trust, loyalty and esteem.
romabmouy
4
all the blacks will finish at man city pep is racist...