6 | Nathan Ake - 2022/23

[yankblue]

He brings stability to the back line. You know he's not going to fuck anything up and his improvement in attacking game is impressive.

I think we should bring in a LB specialist to rotate but Mr Ake should be a fixture in the back four, either at LB or CB (or both) for the foreseeable future.

 

[mdj0520]

I always knew he is an above-average defender and that he would improve with the number of games and become the top one. But his improvement in the attacking phase of the game on the left side is astonishing. Crazy what Pep can achieve with a player if he takes it onboard.

I think that's doing him a massive disservice.

He's better than "above average defender". I think after Dias he's our best defender. Stones and laporte offer something else in possession, but now he's hit his stride I feel better with players running at Ake. Not much in it with him and stones defencively.

Also, pep does improve players and get the best out of them, but I don't think he has improved Ake so much as fit him into our system.

There aren't many players in world football who can play the hybrid CB/LB role. Pep has tried laporte as a hybrid lb/3rd CB several times and it always looks awkward. Ake is amazing at it.

 

[Rascal]

Ake has shown the value of top class coaching.

In theory any footballer can play any position with the right coaching and instruction. There is no such thing as the halfwits think as a LB, CDM, RW, that is just play station football thinking.

Top class coaching makes good players great and whilst Ake is not great (as of yet) he has improved expotentially since signing for us. He had a slow start as many of the players Pep signs do, but he went from being the rock at Bournemouth to a learning curve at City. This season he has been mostly faultless. What I like about him most is he is a proper defender, he is not worried if he clears danger by putting the ball in row Z, he puts his body on the line for the cause and more importantly he looks like he is enjoying it. He also uses the ball well, whilst I cannot see him in the inverted role he is still calm and composed on the ball, and capable of finding the ball over the top for Erling.

I also think he benefits as the whole team do from having Dias back in the side. Ake does not appear as vocal at organising the defence as Ruben, but I am certain if need be he could step up and do it.

With Ake, Stones, Ekanji, Laporte and Dias we have quite possibly the best defensive options of any team in the world. They are all a bit different to each other and it is a clever mix, Add Kyle, Rico and Gomez to the mix and defensively we look as well covered as I have ever seen.

If he continues in the same form, he will be runner up in the City player of the year.

 

[ManchesterMaiden7]

Arguably our most consistent defender this season (followed by Dias tbh)

 

[skillman]

I’ve been adamant in the past that he wasn’t good enough for us but I’m a fully-converted Ake fanatic now.

So much more confident when he’s in the left back position - probably on the same level as knowing Dias is playing - to the point where I wouldn’t be too arsed if we didn’t get a left back in the Summer. Be solid at the back and just let the midfield/attack work their magic.

 

[KS55]

He seems to have added a yard of pace compared to his first season here.

 

[decmancity]

I’ve been adamant in the past that he wasn’t good enough for us but I’m a fully-converted Ake fanatic now.

So much more confident when he’s in the left back position - probably on the same level as knowing Dias is playing - to the point where I wouldn’t be too arsed if we didn’t get a left back in the Summer. Be solid at the back and just let the midfield/attack work their magic.

Shame big Earl didn't put those chances away because Ake would be on about 10 assists this season.

 

[Saddleworth2]

I’ve been adamant in the past that he wasn’t good enough for us but I’m a fully-converted Ake fanatic now.

So much more confident when he’s in the left back position - probably on the same level as knowing Dias is playing - to the point where I wouldn’t be too arsed if we didn’t get a left back in the Summer. Be solid at the back and just let the midfield/attack work their magic.

That is some highlights. Consistently brilliant this season. He and Rodri have been immense in every game they have played.

 

[Josh_D]

Always thought he was great from day 1. Sure, he he had injury problems which made adapting and showing his worth harder but he has been improving since.

A little disheartening seeing people on BM show disregard for him despite his form since the latter half of last season. Almost feels like he has to do so much more to be taken as a genuine talented defender. Understandably, everyone is allowed the degree to which they back a lad in the team or at the club but it would be nice for people to rate him without the added caveat of ‘but’.

He’s even improved so much on his attacking and should have had a few assists if not for missed chances by those up top or lack of movement when he’s had the chance play a good cross into the box.

 

[WallyA]

I’ve been adamant in the past that he wasn’t good enough for us but I’m a fully-converted Ake fanatic now.

So much more confident when he’s in the left back position - probably on the same level as knowing Dias is playing - to the point where I wouldn’t be too arsed if we didn’t get a left back in the Summer. Be solid at the back and just let the midfield/attack work their magic.

If you compare the amount of goals in football in the current age to previous eras, I think we are seeing alot more goals lately.

The trend has been to have in the last 15 years, attacking fullbacks.

But with the goal scoring trend also going up, I think it's actually smarter to have defensive fullbacks, and as you said, let the midfield and forwards combine to make the goals.

I think there is no coincidence Pep has gone with 4 CBs in a back 4 with Stones inverting excellently, as this also has the added benefit of be better at defending AND attacking set pieces as well.