Nathan Ake

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Better than Stones yes. More suited for our high line due to his pace.

on what basis is he better then stones? He’s been average for Bournemouth

 

[Matt.D]

Some ridiculous comments on this thread by people who have very clearly never watched this lad play. Fast, intelligent, decent on the ball and decent in the air considering his height. Steady, doesn’t make many mistakes. An excellent 3rd choice centre half, huge upgrade on Stones and Otamendi. Home grown, less than £40m.

We will literally be lucky if we can get this lad in as a back up because pretty sure there will be big clubs sniffing around who want him for their first 11.

 

[GBrannan]

Has decent pace and can actually defend 1 v 1. Think he would suit our style of play tbh.

I don't like this talk of him being a back up LB though, all our LB's are bang average, we need a new starter in that position, no more making do with a player who is half the player we bought and a converted attacking midfielder or a 3rd choice CB.

I think this (1v1) is the key, if the scouting is any good.

Any defender in our team, besides being good on the ball, has to be able to defend 1v1, which needs pace and almost as importantly balance. Stones doesn’t have the pace and his confidence is shot to bits... and Otamendi is, well, Otamendi. Garcia is a work in progress and shouldn’t be any more than 4th or 5th choice to see how he develops.

Ake is hard to judge because he’s been part of a truly awful defensive unit at Bournemouth- not just the back 4 but the whole team. Overall he seems decent on the ball and reasonable in the air. The fact he’s left footed seems to mesh well with the consensus he’s a backup to Laporte.

If this happens we’ll have to see it in context of all our other business to know where he fits in.

I think it’s a tentative yes for now.

 

[Gabriel]

He’s played some time at left-back for the national team but he’s looked more comfortable playing as the left-sided defender with three at the back. He could cover Mendy, at a pinch, but if he’s the back up when Mendy’s out, then our balance on that side would tilt more to defence.

 

[BluePar100]

Could turn out great for us this lad. Feel for Stones, who I thought / hoped would be our Pique for years to come. Think he’s still young enough to do a turn elsewhere tho...maybe Spain where it’s all a bit slower

 

[ctid1894]

Brilliant brilliant signing if true.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

It’s always amazing how much people lose their shit when we buy a cover player before buying someone for the so-called ‘best 11’.

 

[WickyWain]

A centre half that can’t head the ball ? Ffs it’s like a colour blind snooker player

TBF Peter Ebdon and Mark Williams are colour blind and have won 4 world titles between them ;)

 

[vin]

I’d be buzzing with this. He’s a lot better than Stones and Otamendi. Anyone who disagrees is talking out their fucking arse

 

[WRicko]

Think it's a great bit of business. Good Laporte cover, can do a job at LB (Would still buy someone else if we keep Mendy) and DM. 2 years on his deal, homegrown and the Man City Tax considered, solid business and does everything Zinchenko did and more but better.

Does everything Zinchenko does ? He is not a left back at least not in the way Zinchenko is and not a CDM like Zinchenko is for the national team

Also Zinchenko started out further forward again he could not do that