Nathan Ake

[Keeper!]

If Ake agrees to move to us it shows ambition and a willingness to learn. It’s a big step up for him and he will need to develop to get game time. He could move to Newcastle or Everton where he’d get first team football going through the motions.. but it looks like he wants to work with Pep and take his game to the next level. Respect for that.

Agreed but probably will be doubling his wages, that helps with ambition ;)

 

[Jumanji]

Overall it looks like a very decent deal.

Lots of rave reviews from Bournemouth fans and when I've seen him I've been fairly impressed.

I don't think his height will be a big issue and he actually attacks his headers pretty well.

He's also quick - which is a major attribute we're lacking at the back.

Aerial duels, he’s in the bottom 25 in Europe out of the 283 that have played 1000 or more minutes.

BUT, I don’t think it will be a problem based on how we usually concede goals.

And we have tall enough guys to handle the danger zones for corner kicks like Rodri & Laporte.

We’ll probably get Koulibaly or Skriniar so I doubt he’ll ever partner with Garcia who is the same height besides in early round cup games.

 

[simon23]

People are presuming its Stones that will move on -they are probably right but remember there have been links about Garcia to Barca.

For me as good as Garcia is on the ball he is far too slow to play in a high line even though he reads the game very well. This was exposed in the semi final in a foot race against Aubamayang most recently and would be by other teams as well.

The bigger quesion if this was true however is could Pep and the coaches get Stones back on track? We know there is an excellent footbaling centre half in there somewhere. His head has gone (for whatever reason) and the injuries have really set him back but with the injuries i think he can overcome them. He looks like he is one of those players that has a good level of natural fitness even though he has picked up injuries (or have they been an excuse for something else?)

 

[OntarioBlue]

How exactly are the club planning on making space for this if we are in for Koulibaly as well? Otamendi has a year left and is on wages no one else would dream of paying. Stones has years left and is on wages no one else would dream of paying. Those players aren't going to take a pay cut at another club out of the goodness of their hearts. And Ake and Koulibaly won't be on cheap wages either.

I suspect that if there are plans to move Otamendi and Stones out there are deals already lined up with Valencia and Everton/Arsenal respectively . They may both be making big money but the transfer fees will be low so I think the deals will still make sense for the buying clubs.

 

[KiLP12]

People are presuming its Stones that will move on -they are probably right but remember there have been links about Garcia to Barca.

For me as good as Garcia is on the ball he is far too slow to play in a high line even though he reads the game very well. This was exposed in the semi final in a foot race against Aubamayang most recently and would be by other teams as well.

The bigger quesion if this was true however is could Pep and the coaches get Stones back on track? We know there is an excellent footbaling centre half in there somewhere. His head has gone (for whatever reason) and the injuries have really set him back but with the injuries i think he can overcome them. He looks like he is one of those players that has a good level of natural fitness even though he has picked up injuries (or have they been an excuse for something else?)

He is leaving and so is Otamendi. Both can't handle it in their own ways of course in City. Garcia will stay and is really doing well.

 

[Robinho's Subbuteo]

Ake and Koulibaly would be a definite upgrade on Stones and Ota.

 

[ctid1894]

People are presuming its Stones that will move on -they are probably right but remember there have been links about Garcia to Barca.

For me as good as Garcia is on the ball he is far too slow to play in a high line even though he reads the game very well. This was exposed in the semi final in a foot race against Aubamayang most recently and would be by other teams as well.

The bigger quesion if this was true however is could Pep and the coaches get Stones back on track? We know there is an excellent footbaling centre half in there somewhere. His head has gone (for whatever reason) and the injuries have really set him back but with the injuries i think he can overcome them. He looks like he is one of those players that has a good level of natural fitness even though he has picked up injuries (or have they been an excuse for something else?)

In all fairness to Garcia he was perfectly positioned to play Aubamayang offside if I remember correctly, Mendy who could see straight across the line dropped too deep playing him onside. Hardly Garcia's fault.

 

[Sir peace frog]

He is home grown because he was in Chelsea's academy, pretty certain he is Dutch.

he isnt dutch,he is from holland.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

Aerial duels, he’s in the bottom 25 in Europe out of the 283 that have played 1000 or more minutes.

BUT, I don’t think it will be a problem based on how we usually concede goals.

And we have tall enough guys to handle the danger zones for corner kicks like Rodri & Laporte.

We’ll probably get Koulibaly or Skriniar so I doubt he’ll ever partner with Garcia who is the same height besides in early round cup games.

I don't know how they judge duels and what's taken into account (attacking/defending/GKs/corners/etc) but I'm not that concerned by the stat really.

As you say, we don't concede lots of crosses anyway and winning headers of opposition goal kicks isn't the be all and end all.

I also agree that his main job won't be to 'win headers' and his pace, passing and positioning will be useful as part of a squad.

 

[Sir peace frog]

keep hearing he is quick, but does he have pace