Nathan Ake

[Woody135]

I've no idea why you would buy a defender from a relegated team, when you are at the top, Bournemouth conceded the third most goals in the PL for a reason, their defence was shit.

We’re not signing their whole team

 

[OrigamiNinja]

I would be happier with that grouping than if Stones was sold Garcia stays

Ake and Garcia wouldn’t be physically up to it as our second choice pairing , they would be fine if paired with any of the other two though

Although it would be weird if Garcia left now with all the game time he’s been getting?

I have the same worry with Stones and Garcia....if we get a Laporte like injury again next season, do I trust that either of them can deliver every week so that we can maintain a serious title challenge? The answer is no. On that basis I am not overly fussed about what happens with either of them.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Price seems a tad inflated but he offers versatility and adds much needed pace to our defence.

But I will be disappointed if he’s the only centre back we sign this transfer window. I can’t see us competing with Liverpool if we fail to bring someone else in.

 

[cleavers]

Even the goalkeepers? Carson out...

That's a slightly different concept, I'm sure he does a lot more as third choice keeper with his experience, he's 34 and never actually been on the pitch in a game.

 

[bluethai]

This just feel like another Javi Garcia signing to me.

 

[cjn]

If he's coming here and "accepts" being back up, then its another reason not to sign him imho, every player that comes here should come here wanting to be first choice, and nothing else.

He's not coming to be a back up. We're going to be playing 50 games this season in a shortened timeframe, everyone is going to rotate and play a lot. If he performs he'll play even more.

 

[skyblues]

Anyone seen Aké at LB? I’m curious to know what he could add to us there. Defending wise, he would bring a lot of stability to that left side but I have now idea how he is going forward, crossing etc.

I’m certain of two things:

1. This deal means John Stones is out. I think the homegrown factor really played a part in this. If that wasn’t relevant, I do think Pep would have picked Pau Torres instead.

2. We will not pursue a new LB, it wouldn’t make any sense. If we had Mendy + new LB and Laporte playing the majority of our games, Aké would be on the bench most of the time. And he is too good to sit there.

I think Mendy has the upcoming season to fight for his place. If he fails I’m sure Pep will replace him next summer.

 

[daztrueblue91]

I've no idea why you would buy a defender from a relegated team, when you are at the top, Bournemouth conceded the third most goals in the PL for a reason, their defence was shit.

I think Ake has the profile for what the club wants.

He’s a decent age, good on the ball, fast and homegrown. Not to mention he can play multiple positions and has a lot of PL experience.

I don’t think he’s the partner for Laporte that will take us to the next level, but he’s a definite upgrade on Zinchenko as a LB and Otamendi as a CB.

He pace alone will help remove our vulnerability to the counter attack. I also see this as a two birds/one stone signing. We probably won’t go for a LB now and put the trust in Mendy/Cancelo.

I think £40 million is also around £10/15 million to high, but I dread to think how much Chillwell will be sold for and homegrown defenders always come at a premium.

 

[Gabriel]

there is no such thing as third choice - its a squad game. He may also play in a 3 at the back with Laporte and Koulibaly or Laporte and Walker for instance. He may also play left back aspart of a normal back 4 (especially with Mendy's injury record)

Ake will get plenty of game time and that before injuries to other players as well

Oh, I don't doubt that for one moment and agree on some of your points, but we'd be naive to think that there isn't a pecking order amongst players, no matter how much we say it's a squad game. Stones, on paper, could be described as just as versatile as Ake, someone who can fill in at right-back and play the defensive midfielder role as well, but we all know he's slid down the pecking order; he knows it too. He hasn't started a meaningful Champions League game in a long time, and when we line up against Real Madrid, he'll likely be on the bench. I hope Ake comes in and really challenges Laporte for his shirt, but I know that at the moment he's the third choice (assuming Koulibaly signs).

 

[Dax777]

I’d prefer Rudiger

Neither. Ake over everything :)