Nathan Ake

[M18CTID]

Cannot understand why we are weakening our defence by selling ake . Last season we only just got over the line because of injuries to our defence and by selling ake it does weaken that area .

It doesn’t make sense on the face of it, but how often does a club have 3 CBs out injured?

Don’t get me wrong, I like Ake and he did well last season when called upon but I think we ended up with a surplus of CBs when he and Dias signed at the start of the 2020-21 season. If you think back, the plan seemed to be to move Stones on because if anything, he (Stones) would’ve been 4th choice CB but then he had that sensational return to form that nobody could’ve predicted, and we were never going to be moving Ake on straight after signing him. Remember we went from 3 specialist senior CBs down to 2 when Kompany left, and now we’re up to 4. Whereas on the other hand, I feel we will definitely be an attacker down when Sterling leaves.

 

[MillsyTheMosher]

If he's off, which is a shame, then I was impressed by that Sally Sue at Southampton against us.

Literally the only good game he had all season.

You can’t be serious (I hope)

 

[Father Paul]

Sometimes I just don't get the love in on here. He was average as a centre half, poor as a left back, relegated with Bournemouth and we overpaid for him.

If someone is willing to pay us a tidy sum, I'd snap their hands off.

Another of those players I'm not bothered if they move on.

All a game of opinions but there are only about 11 of the squad I'd be gutted to lose. Ake isn't one of them.

Firstly, he is much better than you suggest and made a decent contribution last season to the league win. Secondly, we have no obvious replacement for him which means we may have to watch the senseless failed experiment of playing a midfielder in that position. Thirdly, more generally we appear to be facilitating a lot of change at the football club this summer which may not end well, particularly with uncertainty about the future of the manager.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Can't see us signing a replacement I think Pep will use Walker, Rodri or Phillips

One thing you can take to the bank is I guarantee we will sign Cucurella if we are even contemplating letting go of Ake so we are immediately stronger anyway.

Chances are then we will try and sign an experienced pro at twilight of career to do a job as back up 4th central defender at some point before end of window, but won’t be a disaster if we don’t get one.

 

[Keeper!]

More chance getting Shakira probably

Both are well past their prime ;)

 

[Roachy]

Cannot understand why we are weakening our defence by selling ake . Last season we only just got over the line because of injuries to our defence and by selling ake it does weaken that area .

He may want to leave. We may get a comparable or better replacement.

 

[Kennedy_probably_has]

I can see Pep signing Cucurella and having Walker as a back up centre half if this deal happens.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

He's a lovely guy with just above average defensive abilities, he doesn't possess the pace or the passing ability to be considered a really top centre back.

Nathan is always playing on the fine margins between a great, last-ditch tackle, or being left for dead.

Doesn't not make him a suitable fourth-choice defender for us, but that's all he is and would have been hiding behind the sofa each week if he had become anything other.

I ask myself the question, would I look forward to him marking Haaland next season, and the answer would be yes please!

I'm sure City will have a plan as we would have three CBs at the World Cup this year.

 

[Keeper!]

Sometimes I just don't get the love in on here. He was average as a centre half, poor as a left back, relegated with Bournemouth and we overpaid for him.

If someone is willing to pay us a tidy sum, I'd snap their hands off.

Another of those players I'm not bothered if they move on.

All a game of opinions but there are only about 11 of the squad I'd be gutted to lose. Ake isn't one of them.

100% true and where was he at the end of the season when we were without Dias, Stones and Laporte was playing on one knee?

Pep did not trust him, he trusted a 36 year old CM player with no legs.

That should tell one and all why Ake is negotiating with Chelsea.

 

[Bluemoon has risen]

If we receive over £50m for him and sign a cheaper replacement then it's a no brainer. I like Ake, but in reality he is our 4th choice CB. The money made from his sale can go into our funds for either a winger or we can hold it back and go big again next summer.

If we sell Ake but then don't replace him then ita a terrible move. We can't go into the season with just 3 CB's, especially in a world cup year.

 

[Withnail]

He's a lovely guy with just above average defensive abilities, he doesn't possess the pace or the passing ability to be considered a really top centre back.

Nathan is always playing on the fine margins between a great, last-ditch tackle, or being left for dead.

Doesn't not make him a suitable fourth-choice defender for us, but that's all he is and would have been hiding behind the sofa each week if he had become anything other.

I ask myself the question, would I look forward to him marking Haaland next season, and the answer would be yes please!

I'm sure City will have a plan as we would have three CBs at the World Cup this year.

I like Ake and I don't really want him to leave, but as you say he is not one of our first choice cb's and he is prone to injuries. One of the things I liked about him was his versatility, but if we get Cucurella in we will have cover for lb in Zin (albeit he could leave) and Cancelo. So the need for a replacement cb who can fill in at lb will not be so strong.

Have you heard of any potential replacements for Ake?

 

[Tugay One Cup]

he doesn't possess the pace

He's our fastest centre back and I'd say by some distance. Pretty sure the squad would back me up on that one as well.

I agree with the general gist that losing Ake isn't a travesty but we aren't going to find a better fourth choice option and, once again, he's an improvement on what Chelsea have.

He stepped in and had some great games for us last season.

It's a pretty big stretch to try and paint this as a positive footballing move for us, even if it's a no brainer in terms of the financials.

 

[Cobwebcat]

I like Ake and I don't really want him to leave, but as you say he is not one of our first choice cb's and he is prone to injuries. One of the things I liked about him was his versatility, but if we get Cucurella in we will have cover for lb in Zin (albeit he could leave) and Cancelo. So the need for a replacement cb who can fill in at lb will not be so strong.

Have you heard of any potential replacements for Ake?

If Tolime knows that one it would be very impressive. I haven’t come across any reporter even any idea yet. I’m guessing the Ake thing, unlike our other departures, came a bit out of the blue. City will have a list but the names on it don’t seem to have come out.

 

[razman]

lot of demands for CBs this window

Hopefully we are selling for good money and have a decent replacement lined up

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I like Ake and I don't really want him to leave, but as you say he is not one of our first choice cb's and he is prone to injuries. One of the things I liked about him was his versatility, but if we get Cucurella in we will have cover for lb in Zin (albeit he could leave) and Cancelo. So the need for a replacement cb who can fill in at lb will not be so strong.

Have you heard of any potential replacements for Ake?

Sounds like the Ake thing has come out of the blue and we are now trying to react, but wouldn't worry about such.

Phillips has played a few games at centre back, as has Rodri, Walker can shift to the right side of a pairing also.

There can be no panic as we have to remember the window is open for another month once the season gets started.

It's only three months or so before players are off to the World Cup and by the time that is over, the Jan window will be open?

We might be better served keeping our powder dry and seeing what the situation is come then, if needs be.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

If Tolime knows that one it would be very impressive. I haven’t come across any reporter even any idea yet. I’m guessing the Ake thing, unlike our other departures, came a bit out of the blue. City will have a list but the names on it don’t seem to have come out.

Jonny Evans ;)

We could always ask Vinny to pull his boots back on every couple of months, he's only down the road!!

 

[Cobwebcat]

He's our fastest centre back and I'd say by some distance. Pretty sure the squad would back me up on that one as well.

I agree with the general gist that losing Ake isn't a travesty but we aren't going to find a better fourth choice option and, once again, he's an improvement on what Chelsea have.

He stepped in and had some great games for us last season.

It's a pretty big stretch to try and paint this as a positive footballing move for us, even if it's a no brainer in terms of the financials.

Difficult to argue with that until we know who it is. City might surprise us. I have to believe if they are prepared to let him go there must be something in it for us.

Whatever is going on I would think it would happen quite quick with pre season approaching and perhaps a new system for the team to learn.

At this stage Sterling and Ake out and Cucurella and Mystery Man in would be the maximum activity I think we would do.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

He's our fastest centre back and I'd say by some distance. Pretty sure the squad would back me up on that one as well.

I agree with the general gist that losing Ake isn't a travesty but we aren't going to find a better fourth choice option and, once again, he's an improvement on what Chelsea have.

He stepped in and had some great games for us last season.

It's a pretty big stretch to try and paint this as a positive footballing move for us, even if it's a no brainer in terms of the financials.

You would be surprised then.

He's third behind Stones and Dias in all metrics and testing.

Those two are rapid but it doesn't look like it simply because they carry so much bulk.

Anything is an improvement for Chelsea as they have lost Rudiger and Christensen.

He certainly isn't better than those two and might even struggle to get a start ahead of Thiago.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Jonny Evans ;)

We could always ask Vinny to pull his boots back on every couple of months, he's only down the road!!

You know if he got himself fit there isn’t many that wouldn’t have Vinny back as cover. Worth it just for the speeches and physical power..the number of headed clearances that bloke did, mind you it is an impressive head.

 

[Trojan1962]

Can’t understand why we are letting him leave. Stones is unable to stay fit for any length of time and he will get plenty of game time