When Ake returns, he could move to defensive midfieldWish we had two of him and can mould the spare one to play in midfield. Technically outstanding for a defender.
We've got 7 defenders in the squad, one is a 19 year old midfielder, one is 34 and could drop off a cliff at any moment and 2 in stones and ake can't reliably stay fit. I havr no doubts he could do that role but Pep's not moving one of the few reliable and available defenders we do have into midfield purely for the lack of defensive numbers if nothing else.When Ake returns, he could move to defensive midfield