Nathan Ake

Bluewonder said:
Maybe, but his HG status is invaluable and his ability to play left back is important too.
I really can't see it.
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Akanji can play at LB as well. What's more, Akanji *did* play at LB vs Arsenal at home and both legs vs Real in the Treble season, as Ake was injured, and was brilliant there.

Pep wants a small squad. For that purpose you need fit players. Akanji might get a bad injury, nothing is certain, but his fitness record is the best among the experienced defenders.
 
bell_mcfc said:
That means someone is coming in surely?
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Most football teams only accommodate around four centre backs in a matchday squad. We have six in the squad currently with Gvardiol Aké Dias Stones Khusanov and Akanji (and have six out on loan with Reis Bah Simpson-Pusey Doyle Mbete and Burns).

We could probably sell Aké and Akanji and have enough rotating Gvardiol Dias Stones and Khusanov like a normal team.

When Kompany was injured for nearly all of our record breaking 18 game winning streak when we got 100 points, we rotated three centre backs in Otamendi Stones and Laporte. That’s a normal way to operate. We have far too many players at centre back and central midfield.
 
alexmcity said:
Akanji can play at LB as well. What's more, Akanji *did* play at LB vs Arsenal at home and both legs vs Real in the Treble season, as Ake was injured, and was brilliant there.

Pep wants a small squad. For that purpose you need fit players. Akanji might get a bad injury, nothing is certain, but his fitness record is the best among the experienced defenders.
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Yeah Akanji has been great for us, definitely a versatile player.

Let’s say he stays and Ake goes I think that still leaves us short on HG? I guess we could always register a younger player.
 
Psychedelic Casual said:
Most football teams only accommodate around four centre backs in a matchday squad. We have six in the squad currently with Gvardiol Aké Dias Stones Khusanov and Akanji (and have six out on loan with Reis Bah Simpson-Pusey Doyle Mbete and Burns).

We could probably sell Aké and Akanji and have enough rotating Gvardiol Dias Stones and Khusanov like a normal team.

When Kompany was injured for nearly all of our record breaking 18 game winning streak when we got 100 points, we rotated three centre backs in Otamendi Stones and Laporte. That’s a normal way to operate.
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Yeah true. I feel like Ake has always played a lot of minutes for us because he operates in 2 positions. I guess depends on how much we are happy for Ait Nouri to play, if he plays the majority of games at LB it means Gvardiol doesn’t have to cover much and plenty of rotation.

I know there is the comment about Pep wanting a smaller squad so everyone gets enough minutes but I feel like that’s been slightly misconstrued. We have more players than ever currently because of how last year was and then we’ve recruited top targets this summer
 
Psychedelic Casual said:
Most football teams only accommodate around four centre backs in a matchday squad. We have six in the squad currently with Gvardiol Aké Dias Stones Khusanov and Akanji (and have six out on loan with Reis Bah Simpson-Pusey Doyle Mbete and Burns).

We could probably sell Aké and Akanji and have enough rotating Gvardiol Dias Stones and Khusanov like a normal team.

When Kompany was injured for nearly all of our record breaking 18 game winning streak when we got 100 points, we rotated three centre backs in Otamendi Stones and Laporte. That’s a normal way to operate. We have far too many players at centre back and central midfield.
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We signed Laporte after that winning run. Shockingly, it was Mangala who was part of the rotation policy. He even started vs Spurs at home in the 4:1 win.

It's normal to have 4 CBs, but Stones's injury record isn't normal, plus we have one normal FB in RAN, the other 3 are doing a job, preferably not against Liverpool, Real, etc.
 
Issue is he takes up a squad spot and in his 5 seasons, has played less than 30 in 3 seasons, 20 or less in 2 seasons. O'Reilly played more last season.

He's absolutely quality but fitness is a problem. If he wasnt HG, he'd be going before Akanji in my opinion.

That said, I can't see us selling unless we have a HG defender lined up.
 
Psychedelic Casual said:
Most football teams only accommodate around four centre backs in a matchday squad. We have six in the squad currently with Gvardiol Aké Dias Stones Khusanov and Akanji (and have six out on loan with Reis Bah Simpson-Pusey Doyle Mbete and Burns).

We could probably sell Aké and Akanji and have enough rotating Gvardiol Dias Stones and Khusanov like a normal team.

When Kompany was injured for nearly all of our record breaking 18 game winning streak when we got 100 points, we rotated three centre backs in Otamendi Stones and Laporte. That’s a normal way to operate. We have far too many players at centre back and central midfield.
Click to expand...
But most teams dont have just 1 authodox fullback at the club and dont play 4 centre backs in a back 4 though. The question isnt how many centre backs do we need, it's how many defenders. 6 centre backs plus Ait-Nouri, Nunes and Lewis if we are calling them defenders and thats 9 defenders which is bang in line with what you need.

Arsenal are the only team similar to us with regards to not having traditional fullbacks and they've got 7 cb's in Gabriel, saliba, kiwor, Califiori, white, Timber and that new guy
 
Pep clearly telling his CBs that someone has to move otherwise sit on the bench a lot which they might not fancy in a WC year.
but then everbody is also waiting as they dont really want to move if not thrown out almost. Ake and Akanji probably hoped it will be Stones who is moving, but as he is staying put now its up between Ake and Akanji.

to me Gvardiol/Dias will be the most used CB pair this season, and then Stones and Khusanov. as Stones made of glass one of Ake/Akanji can stay as both can also full in at either LB or RB if needed.

currently only Gvardiol injured so in a 20-man matchday squad do we really need to pick 5 CBs? what if even Gvardiol comes back, will we have 6 CBs in match squad? if we leave 1/2 out, who is gonna be happy to not even travel?
these are questions to answer.
if Foden and Rodri back somewhat fit for Spurs, its already a CB imo will miss out.
 
Not always fit last year but a really great player that i hope we keep. People say he is always injured but played over 40 games in 22/23 and 23/24. Would be very difficult find a replacement of his level.

I would much prefer we move on Akanji.
 
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