Nathan Ake

[LongsightM13]

Pull yourself together man!:))

Let’s hope buying clubs aren’t blind to his value

 

[Tevez City]

Welcome Ake, hopefully he will make us stronger and more successful.

 

[LongsightM13]

Good

Apparently Napoli like him and tried to sign him a couple of years back. Maybe he can be a makeweight in any deal for Koulibaly

 

[Airbags Optional]

This escalated quickly ,he caught my eye when I used to watch some of the kids games,i am very happy with this one,the price is a bit higher than I would have thought but it is fine

Good work txiki

I think we have to thank the rag neighbours for pushing up the cost of homegrown centre backs. Half the price of slabhead and a better player imo

 

[Akpowell]

Chelsea have first refusal for Ake, if we bid £10m or whatever, there is no chance in a millon years they won't just buy him and sell him or even just buy him and squad player him. We need him, get him. Everyone has been complaining that Txixi doesn't do the deals when they're needed but complains when he does, can't win.

The first refusal clause ended in June

 

[Ban-jani]

Just me buzzing about Ake?

He’s strong, quick, good on the ball.

Reckon Pep will turn him into a star.

 

[skyblues]

Welcome Ake, hopefully he will make us stronger and more successful.

No doubt about it.
Aké, Laporte, Koulibaly and Garcia.

After so many years and issues with central defenders, we would be set for quite some time. This kind of defense is what wins us the Champions League.

 

[higgi1p]

Welcome Ake, hopefully he will make us stronger and more successful.

He’s not signed yet, you should know by now not to jump the gun

 

[St.Pauli support]

The first refusal clause ended in June

Different opinions in the market...

Anyway, if Aké wants to join us - and I expect he does - Chelsea can throw that option in the bin.

 

[threadkiller]

If you take away what we got for sane , both Ake and torres have cost us around 20 mill net spend , incredible business.

But why would you do that?

 

[Vienna_70]

 

[simon23]

Anyone seen Aké at LB? I’m curious to know what he could add to us there. Defending wise, he would bring a lot of stability to that left side but I have now idea how he is going forward, crossing etc.

I’m certain of two things:

1. This deal means John Stones is out. I think the homegrown factor really played a part in this. If that wasn’t relevant, I do think Pep would have picked Pau Torres instead.

2. We will not pursue a new LB, it wouldn’t make any sense. If we had Mendy + new LB and Laporte playing the majority of our games, Aké would be on the bench most of the time. And he is too good to sit there.

I think Mendy has the upcoming season to fight for his place. If he fails I’m sure Pep will replace him next summer.

IS Pau Torres left or right footed?

If he is right he maybe plan B for Koulibaly

 

[Ban-jani]

No doubt about it.
Aké, Laporte, Koulibaly and Garcia.

After so many years and issues with central defenders, we would be set for quite some time. This kind of defense is what wins us the Champions League.

Does someone want to tell him about Garcia...

 

[Vienna_70]

According to The Athletic, Aké is keen to work with Pep.

 

[Ban-jani]

But why would you do that?

Scouse talk that.

 

[St.Pauli support]

Anyone seen Aké at LB? I’m curious to know what he could add to us there. Defending wise, he would bring a lot of stability to that left side but I have now idea how he is going forward, crossing etc.

I’m certain of two things:

1. This deal means John Stones is out. I think the homegrown factor really played a part in this. If that wasn’t relevant, I do think Pep would have picked Pau Torres instead.

2. We will not pursue a new LB, it wouldn’t make any sense. If we had Mendy + new LB and Laporte playing the majority of our games, Aké would be on the bench most of the time. And he is too good to sit there.

I think Mendy has the upcoming season to fight for his place. If he fails I’m sure Pep will replace him next summer.

I agree to point 1.

But point 2. suggests Aké would cover LCB and LB. As been said, Zin would be surplus and
block a free spot. Normally we try to have 2 players per position.
Maybe that 19-yo Ait Nouri from Angers comes into play. Just a thought.

Similar to Stones, I think Zinchenko has to move on and develop his career.
He has to leave his comfort zone. Right now he isn't well known as a LB and unproven as a mid.
Good lad, but should go and find his luck somewhere else.

 

[TFC]

He’s not signed yet, you should know by now not to jump the gun

Bollocks. We pulled the Benjani deal off, and look how that turned out ;)

 

[RandomJ]

Is the £40 million fee correct? Seems a little steep for a recently relegated player.

 

[Jacob Smith]

Is the £40 million fee correct? Seems a little steep for a recently relegated player.

He’s homegrown

 

[mccity]

Is the £40 million fee correct? Seems a little steep for a recently relegated player.

This is purely guesswork on my part but I reckon there were other clubs sniffing around, and 40m was the minimum amount to keep those other clubs away and let us get this done swiftly.