I like Ake and I don't really want him to leave, but as you say he is not one of our first choice cb's and he is prone to injuries. One of the things I liked about him was his versatility, but if we get Cucurella in we will have cover for lb in Zin (albeit he could leave) and Cancelo. So the need for a replacement cb who can fill in at lb will not be so strong.He's a lovely guy with just above average defensive abilities, he doesn't possess the pace or the passing ability to be considered a really top centre back.
Nathan is always playing on the fine margins between a great, last-ditch tackle, or being left for dead.
Doesn't not make him a suitable fourth-choice defender for us, but that's all he is and would have been hiding behind the sofa each week if he had become anything other.
I ask myself the question, would I look forward to him marking Haaland next season, and the answer would be yes please!
I'm sure City will have a plan as we would have three CBs at the World Cup this year.
he doesn't possess the pace
If Tolime knows that one it would be very impressive. I haven’t come across any reporter even any idea yet. I’m guessing the Ake thing, unlike our other departures, came a bit out of the blue. City will have a list but the names on it don’t seem to have come out.I like Ake and I don't really want him to leave, but as you say he is not one of our first choice cb's and he is prone to injuries. One of the things I liked about him was his versatility, but if we get Cucurella in we will have cover for lb in Zin (albeit he could leave) and Cancelo. So the need for a replacement cb who can fill in at lb will not be so strong.
Have you heard of any potential replacements for Ake?
I like Ake and I don't really want him to leave, but as you say he is not one of our first choice cb's and he is prone to injuries. One of the things I liked about him was his versatility, but if we get Cucurella in we will have cover for lb in Zin (albeit he could leave) and Cancelo. So the need for a replacement cb who can fill in at lb will not be so strong.
Have you heard of any potential replacements for Ake?
If Tolime knows that one it would be very impressive. I haven’t come across any reporter even any idea yet. I’m guessing the Ake thing, unlike our other departures, came a bit out of the blue. City will have a list but the names on it don’t seem to have come out.
Difficult to argue with that until we know who it is. City might surprise us. I have to believe if they are prepared to let him go there must be something in it for us.He's our fastest centre back and I'd say by some distance. Pretty sure the squad would back me up on that one as well.
I agree with the general gist that losing Ake isn't a travesty but we aren't going to find a better fourth choice option and, once again, he's an improvement on what Chelsea have.
He stepped in and had some great games for us last season.
It's a pretty big stretch to try and paint this as a positive footballing move for us, even if it's a no brainer in terms of the financials.
He's our fastest centre back and I'd say by some distance. Pretty sure the squad would back me up on that one as well.
I agree with the general gist that losing Ake isn't a travesty but we aren't going to find a better fourth choice option and, once again, he's an improvement on what Chelsea have.
He stepped in and had some great games for us last season.
It's a pretty big stretch to try and paint this as a positive footballing move for us, even if it's a no brainer in terms of the financials.
You know if he got himself fit there isn’t many that wouldn’t have Vinny back as cover. Worth it just for the speeches and physical power..the number of headed clearances that bloke did, mind you it is an impressive head.Jonny Evans ;)
We could always ask Vinny to pull his boots back on every couple of months, he's only down the road!!