Nathan Ake

[Easy]

Always the way with signing players into their 30's. You never know when the the form will drop of and the wages can get massively out of kilter. We are not desperate for squad places so I would imagine he will stick around unless we pay him off. I'd much prefer we keep Stones as he could still come good where as Ota is done in now.

Yes, I always said we should have sold Otamendi after the Centurion season. He’s played his part but now it’s long over. Will be a mistake to keep him really.

 

[Proy]

I like him.

He will only get better here.

 

[abu13]

I get a good feeling about this move, i think he will be a great asset to us.

 

[St.Pauli support]

Yeah if Stones had concentration, pace, didn't get caught on the ball and didn't get injured every 5 minutes.

Agreed, but I think you've missed the most important aspect: too sensitive character.

Problem isn't Stones' skillset, I have seen his qualities and I have seen great matches bossing his position.
But for some reason his head drops so often that Pep just can't rely on him.

Ota has a fighting mentality, Laporte has. Transplant that into Stones and we'd have a great CB.

But we have been waiting too long for things to change but a humans' character doesn't change in a haertbeat, maybe it never does. Ask therapists.

I can't tell if Aké has it, but it seems. Calling him a leader might work at Bournemouth but might be different at City. But truth also is, he won't be worse than Stonesy in that matter
and being HG is also a key factor in the equation.

Somehow I always liked Aké. Maybe it's his angel face :)

 

[ancoats]

at a lesser club you get more game time defending when facing the bigger and better teams and he has looked good, being left footed is a great option to have in this man city squad and can play in a 3 or even at left back, so would be a good signing and age is ok, price is ok so if city want him you would be a fool to turn it down

 

[Proy]

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?)

A high line should be immaterial if it’s done properly. He was played onside Aubamayang. I get that it will happen from time to time so pace in rare situations will be needed, but that shouldn’t be the deciding factor between us winning and losing games.

 

[hilts]

I just don't see how people place such a low value on stones.

Probably seen him play:-)

 

[come-on-barney]

Bournmouth's position and goals against as well as watching tells me Ake isn't that much better.

Gotta be a wind up, that statement does not stack up. Last time I looked Ake wasn’t the only player in the side. Put Kompany or Laporte in the Bournemouth side and see how they get on.

 

[blueinsa]

Gotta be a wind up, that statement does not stack up. Last time I looked Ake wasn’t the only player in the side. Put Kompany or Laporte in the Bournemouth side and see how they get on.

I did also say "having watched him".

Nothing special.

 

[Bpughh]

Ake and Koulibaly in, Stones and Ota out?