Nathan Ake

[Dr Jacoby]

I recall him standing out in a game against us last season.

 

[Chi-town blues]

I recall him standing out in a game against us last season.

His anticipation was on point.

 

[supercity88]

I think he'd be an excellent signing. Knows the league so no time wasted trying to get him up to the pace of it. If Koulibaly signs and struggles to adapt (doubt he will), or Laporte is injured again then he's a quality option. He's also pretty quick and solid on the ball so could play left back if required. Laporte, Ferny, Otamendi, Stones, Garcia to Laporte, Ferny, Koulibaly, Ake, Garcia...much improved.

 

[Gabriel]

One of the things that Ake has is an innate defensive sense in the box. We all rave about forwards who can find space in the box and just happen to be in the right place at the right time when the ball arrives. What we appreciate less is the defensive equivalent, the defender who moves into space and closes it down for attackers, who throws his body into blocking positions, and who drops instinctively behind the keeper to clear off the line. Ake has that gift.

 

[brummie blue]

if two new signing come off and we go with Laporte, Koulibaly, Ake and Garcia as a squad four, with Stones and Otamendi sold, collectively generating enough cash to cover Ake, then I'll be happy. Ake's wages will probably be less than Stones as well.

We should have done it last season when Kompany left and Stones had been so injury prone. We ball's up last summer.

 

[plongo]

if two new signing come off and we go with Laporte, Koulibaly, Ake and Garcia as a squad four, with Stones and Otamendi sold, collectively generating enough to cover Ake, then I'll be happy. Are wages will probably be less than Stones as well.

We should have done it last season when Kompany left and Stones had been so injury prone. We ball's up last summer.

Great post!

 

[cjn]

Absolutely, but people have lost their heads because Ake plays for Bournemouth.

It's funny because the usual stick to beat Txiki up with is that we only go after £60m players..."why do we even have scouts", "why didn't we sign [player] BEFORE they were worth all this money", etc. And then as soon as we look to buy someone on the cheap from a relegated club he's not good enough, not better than what we have, cant be that good because he got relegated, etc. Guy can't win.

 

[mccity]

If Ake were to sign, presumably there'd be a game every now and again where he's paired with Laporte for whatever reason.

Who plays on the left out of the two?

 

[blueparrot]

If Ake were to sign, presumably there'd be a game every now and again where he's paired with Laporte for whatever reason.

Who plays on the left out of the two?

Both, I would expect for rotation Ake would play with Koulibaly, Laporte with Garcia. Think he’d only play with Laporte if we were playing a three.

 

[Mancini Manus Domini]

One of the things that Ake has is an innate defensive sense in the box. We all rave about forwards who can find space in the box and just happen to be in the right place at the right time when the ball arrives. What we appreciate less is the defensive equivalent, the defender who moves into space and closes it down for attackers, who throws his body into blocking positions, and who drops instinctively behind the keeper to clear off the line. Ake has that gift.

As did Kompany.