6 | Nathan Ake - 2022/23

[domalino]

He's perfectly good enough in 90% of games, there's only a handful of games a season where I would really feel we need Stones or Laporte next to Dias instead.

 

[Dodgy Gangster]

The lad is absolutely flourishing now he's getting regular games. He misplaced one header in the 2nd half when we were 4-0 up, other than that he didn't put a foot wrong all day. Offered a threat in their area too, he had 3 half chances in the first 15 mins.

 

[5 Hit Gibbon]

I thought he was solid and he stood out as our best defender today.

 

[Mike N]

I thought he was solid and he stood out as our best defender today.

Me too. The crowd showed their appreciation of him a few times during the game.

 

[flook]

Keep saying it, people are stopping laughing at me, he's our best defender

 

[samuelyeboah]

don't think laporte and stones will be taking the shirt off him for a while

 

[ninjamonkey]

Superb once again and once again our best centre half. Laporte and stones will have to put in exceptional showings when they get a chance if they want the shirt back because you cannot drop Ake at the moment. He's currently our first pick ahead of all 3 other options.

Not seeing many comments of us wasting £40 million recently.

Pep will love how reliable he is. Hopefully he stays fit now, he was always fit at Bournemouth so isn't especially injury prone.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

That additional bit of pace and athleticism he brings to the back line really makes a difference, especially against sides whose main options for releasing pressure are balls into the channels or knock-downs and second balls

 

[Dzeko9]

He’s very good so far.

 

[footballmanager]

He's perfectly good enough in 90% of games, there's only a handful of games a season where I would really feel we need Stones or Laporte next to Dias instead.

yup, in big games, like liverpool and such. But atm hes more than good enough to deal with most sides

 

[abu13]

Excellent performance again. Top lad.

 

[Pete Campbell]

Superb. This could be his season.

 

[richards30]

credit where its due for Nathan and also for Pep? Nathan as been brilliant so far this season and Pep has been respectful by rewarding his top form by selecting him still, especially with Stones available.

 

[Gremlin]

Some crucial defensive work on Saturday. One of his best games for us, I thought.

 

[tommybooth]

His best City performance so far.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

He's perfectly good enough in 90% of games, there's only a handful of games a season where I would really feel we need Stones or Laporte next to Dias instead.

For me it’s any game that we are pressed aggressively. I wouldn’t have confidence in Ake to deal with that the way Stones/Laporte do. I think he’d panic a bit and give the ball away when passing forwards. Against everyone else, he’s proving to be more than good enough as he always has a risk-free pass to take.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Thank fuck we signed him.

 

[nitram]

Agreed, I always used to feel he was an accident waiting to happen in the bigger games but I think he's really starting to get the confidence into his play he needs, hopefully he'll keep it going; good to have competition in the centre back role, missing seeing John Stones though hope it doesn't hinder his England place

 

[eversince 76]

He progresses in the Zaba way. Steady but surely. Hope there’s still a lot of room left.

 

[Dax777]

He did well,but we look far more solid with Stones alongside Dias.

I don't know that to be true today. I agree it was true 2 seasons ago. Unfortunately though, we live in the present.

Ill have to be shown it again. I'm not going to just assume it. For now, it's Ake and somebody for me. That somebody could be Dias, Stones, Phillips, Laporte when healthy.

But on current form, Ake is #1.