Absolute top level player for me and would be sad to see him go. That being said he completed 90 minutes last season 3 times and we just can't afford another season where we are carrying so many injured players. We desperately needed this kind of squad transformation and if both Ake and Akanji go i feel its just a sad necessity for where we need to get to.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Nathan Ake
- Thread starter jaiguruKun
- Start date
Absolute top level player for me and would be sad to see him go. That being said he completed 90 minutes last season 3 times and we just can't afford another season where we are carrying so many injured players. We desperately needed this kind of squad transformation and if both Ake and Akanji go i feel its just a sad necessity for where we need to get to.
It's practically impossible that both Ake and Akanji go.
If both go we may need to sign another CB, given Stones's problems. Otherwise, we'll risk going to Anfield or Camp Nou for a decisive CL game with a defence like this:
Nunes/Lewis
Khusanov/Reis
Gvardiol
O'Reilly
Good luck to our chances if RAN or Gvardiol are out for 2 months in the 2nd part of the season.
Calv_from_the_frog
Well-Known Member
Aké won't go as he's crucial to the 8 association trained.
(Bear with me here, it gets messy).
The PL allows clubs to register 25 players, with no more than 17 being non-association trained (not having been with English / Welsh clubs for 3 years before their 21st birthday).
Our (19) foreign association trained players are:
Ederson, Ortega, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Akanji, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Nico, Bernardo, Reijnders, Gundogan, Cherki, Savinho, Doku, Kovacic, Haaland, Marmoush
Consequently, we have only the absolute minimum of 8 association trained players, namely:
Trafford, Bettinelli, Lewis, Stones, Aké, O'Reilly, Bobb & Foden
So we can theoretically sell Aké (and go into the season with less than 25, as Pep has done before), but in any event we still need to sell at least 2 of the non-association players (or have them not be able to play in the PL, which I'm guessing neither we nor they would be happy with).
To buy both Rodrygo & Donnarumma (the latter of which I'm praying doesn't come), we'd need to sell 4 of our current crop (the reason why I'm guessing Akanji's name has started to pop up, but it'd still need us needing to sell - I'm guessing here - Ortega).
In any case, and back to the point, not only does he boost our HG/AT numbers, but if he's fit - in the event that Ait-Nouri was unavailable, I'd rather go into an important match with Aké than O'Reilly (who, for reference, is still listed as being a midfielder on the OS..... as, bizarrely enough, is Nunes).
And breathe (I haven't had a lot on so far this morning, can you tell ?)
(Bear with me here, it gets messy).
The PL allows clubs to register 25 players, with no more than 17 being non-association trained (not having been with English / Welsh clubs for 3 years before their 21st birthday).
Our (19) foreign association trained players are:
Ederson, Ortega, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Akanji, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Nico, Bernardo, Reijnders, Gundogan, Cherki, Savinho, Doku, Kovacic, Haaland, Marmoush
Consequently, we have only the absolute minimum of 8 association trained players, namely:
Trafford, Bettinelli, Lewis, Stones, Aké, O'Reilly, Bobb & Foden
So we can theoretically sell Aké (and go into the season with less than 25, as Pep has done before), but in any event we still need to sell at least 2 of the non-association players (or have them not be able to play in the PL, which I'm guessing neither we nor they would be happy with).
To buy both Rodrygo & Donnarumma (the latter of which I'm praying doesn't come), we'd need to sell 4 of our current crop (the reason why I'm guessing Akanji's name has started to pop up, but it'd still need us needing to sell - I'm guessing here - Ortega).
In any case, and back to the point, not only does he boost our HG/AT numbers, but if he's fit - in the event that Ait-Nouri was unavailable, I'd rather go into an important match with Aké than O'Reilly (who, for reference, is still listed as being a midfielder on the OS..... as, bizarrely enough, is Nunes).
And breathe (I haven't had a lot on so far this morning, can you tell ?)
PragueBlue
Well-Known Member
What about Dias?It's practically impossible that both Ake and Akanji go.
If both go we may need to sign another CB, given Stones's problems. Otherwise, we'll risk going to Anfield or Camp Nou for a decisive CL game with a defence like this:
Nunes/Lewis
Khusanov/Reis
Gvardiol
O'Reilly
Good luck to our chances if RAN or Gvardiol are out for 2 months in the 2nd part of the season.
I agree though that we can't let both Akanji and Ake go unless we buy a HG CB such as Guehi (but looks like he's off to the dippers).
supercity88
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 15,701
Ake will stay purely because he's association trained. Hopefully he can remain fit all season as he's a top class defender.
Akanji is the one that has to go. We've got younger players that need to be brought through and whilst he might be available more he's not been good enough recently.
Akanji is the one that has to go. We've got younger players that need to be brought through and whilst he might be available more he's not been good enough recently.
Maybe we will sign someone. The reality is Ake misses as many if not more games than stones, plus Akanji whilst also injury prone has also become a bit of a liability.It's practically impossible that both Ake and Akanji go.
If both go we may need to sign another CB, given Stones's problems. Otherwise, we'll risk going to Anfield or Camp Nou for a decisive CL game with a defence like this:
Nunes/Lewis
Khusanov/Reis
Gvardiol
O'Reilly
Good luck to our chances if RAN or Gvardiol are out for 2 months in the 2nd part of the season.
Any reason Dias and RAN aren't in for CL games? Why not go into CL games with:
Nunes/Lewis
Kushanov / Stones / Dias / Gvadiol
RAN / O'Reilly
Maybe we will sign someone. The reality is Ake misses as many if not more games than stones, plus Akanji whilst also injury prone has also become a bit of a liability.
Any reason Dias and RAN aren't in for CL games? Why not go into CL games with:
Nunes/Lewis
Kushanov / Stones / Dias / Gvadiol
RAN / O'Reilly
Akanji has played more minutes than any of the other defenders since 22/23. He is our fittest defender.
That line-up is a possibility, IF Stones is available.
Anyway, only one from Ake, Akanji and Khusanov (loan) is likely to leave. If we can't sell one from Ake and Akanji, Khusanov is not unlikely to be loaned out.
It'sBlue93:20
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 4 Jun 2022
- Messages
- 1,612
- Team supported
- Manchester City
Wouldn’t sell Ake, still one of our best defenders on his way. Would happily let Akanji go but a fit Nathan Ake is still amongst the best defenders in the league.
OrigamiNinja
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 10 Oct 2008
- Messages
- 11,178
Ake hasn’t been able to move for 12+ months. Every time he is passed “fit” he looks like he could snap like a twig at any given minute. We shouldn’t be holding on to him and gambling our season because he is association trained. We would be better off taking whatever money is on offer and getting him off the wage bill.
Moss Side's Finest
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 3 Oct 2018
- Messages
- 2,134
I'd probably have to agree, I really do rate Ake as a player, certainly more than Akanji. However, Akanji is mainly fit, whereas Aki is mainly injured. I'd take the risk on Stones because he is sensational, but the risk of having two very injury prone defenders in the side is too great for me, if we are wanting to win the league we need consistency in back line
johnny crossan
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure many would share that opinion, maybe only 20 appearances last season because of injury but he's had the troublesome foot operated on and seems to be back firing now.Ake hasn’t been able to move for 12+ months. Every time he is passed “fit” he looks like he could snap like a twig at any given minute. We shouldn’t be holding on to him and gambling our season because he is association trained. We would be better off taking whatever money is on offer and getting him off the wage bill.
PragueBlue
Well-Known Member
Problem is that if Ake goes, we still need to find a club for a couple of our non-HG players. It's likely that one of those 2 would be a defender (Akanji or Khusanov most likely), which then would leave us a bit short at the back, unless we were to bring in another HG CB.Ake hasn’t been able to move for 12+ months. Every time he is passed “fit” he looks like he could snap like a twig at any given minute. We shouldn’t be holding on to him and gambling our season because he is association trained. We would be better off taking whatever money is on offer and getting him off the wage bill.
As good as they have been for us, I think it makes more sense for Akanji and Gundogan to go as it would solve our non-HG quota issues and we wouldn't be short of cover in their positions.
a fit Nathan Ake is still amongst the best defenders in the league.
He's 4th choice at City at best, behind Gvardiol, Dias and Stones.
I think part of our fanbase has lost contact with reality when it comes to Ake.
He was great in 22/23 (nowhere near as good as Rodri and Gundogan, though, despite fans voting him our 3rd best player). Pep put him on the bench when the chips were down in 23/24, and there isn't much to say about 24/25...
Back to reality please.
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
I posted something similar earlier. We currently have 29 when all the sales and recent loans are accounted for. That includes Wilson Esbrand and Phillips. Assuming we can find a home for those two, we still need to drop a minimum of two more before we even think about Rodrygo and Donnarumma . If we bring those two in we need to release another two on top. I just cannot see it unless we sell Eddie, Savinho, Akanji and one other.Aké won't go as he's crucial to the 8 association trained.
(Bear with me here, it gets messy).
The PL allows clubs to register 25 players, with no more than 17 being non-association trained (not having been with English / Welsh clubs for 3 years before their 21st birthday).
Our (19) foreign association trained players are:
Ederson, Ortega, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Akanji, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Nico, Bernardo, Reijnders, Gundogan, Cherki, Savinho, Doku, Kovacic, Haaland, Marmoush
Consequently, we have only the absolute minimum of 8 association trained players, namely:
Trafford, Bettinelli, Lewis, Stones, Aké, O'Reilly, Bobb & Foden
So we can theoretically sell Aké (and go into the season with less than 25, as Pep has done before), but in any event we still need to sell at least 2 of the non-association players (or have them not be able to play in the PL, which I'm guessing neither we nor they would be happy with).
To buy both Rodrygo & Donnarumma (the latter of which I'm praying doesn't come), we'd need to sell 4 of our current crop (the reason why I'm guessing Akanji's name has started to pop up, but it'd still need us needing to sell - I'm guessing here - Ortega).
In any case, and back to the point, not only does he boost our HG/AT numbers, but if he's fit - in the event that Ait-Nouri was unavailable, I'd rather go into an important match with Aké than O'Reilly (who, for reference, is still listed as being a midfielder on the OS..... as, bizarrely enough, is Nunes).
And breathe (I haven't had a lot on so far this morning, can you tell ?)
OrigamiNinja
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 10 Oct 2008
- Messages
- 11,178
I know most won’t share the opinion because they just go with the view of “good defender if we can just keep him fit”. The keeping him fit part has proven to be an impossibility. With Reis gone, we are almost back to where we were with CBs at the beginning of last season and look how that turned out. I can understand taking the risk with Stones, because he is real top-class when fit and he makes the side so much better. Throwing Akes injury woes in on top, just seems ultra-risky and unnecessary to me.I'm not sure many would share that opinion, maybe only 20 appearances last season because of injury but he's had the troublesome foot operated on and seems to be back firing now.
johnny crossan
Well-Known Member
When both are fully fit he 's competing directly with Gvardiol for the the LCB spot, arguably a quicker and a better defender than two of the three you mention as well.He's 4th choice at City at best, behind Gvardiol, Dias and Stones.
I think part of our fanbase has lost contact with reality when it comes to Ake.
He was great in 22/23 (nowhere near as good as Rodri and Gundogan, though, despite fans voting him our 3rd best player). Pep put him on the bench when the chips were down in 23/24, and there isn't much to say about 24/25...
Back to reality please.
Eric Hitchmough
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 22 Mar 2015
- Messages
- 4,447
Is the link to Everton reliable?
blueparrot
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 7 Jun 2012
- Messages
- 33,372
Yes, though think they will be hoping ideally to get down to 24,possibly 25 maximum.I posted something similar earlier. We currently have 29 when all the sales and recent loans are accounted for. That includes Wilson Esbrand and Phillips. Assuming we can find a home for those two, we still need to drop a minimum of two more before we even think about Rodrygo and Donnarumma . If we bring those two in we need to release another two on top. I just cannot see it unless we sell Eddie, Savinho, Akanji and one other.
When both are fully fit he 's competing directly with Gvardiol for the the LCB spot, arguably a quicker and a better defender than two of the three you mention as well.
He's competing with Gvardiol only in the heads of fans still living in 2023.
In reality, there's no competition.
johnny crossan
Well-Known Member
Rubbish, there is competition for every position in the team. That is a basic principle of football management and a primary motivator.He's competing with Gvardiol only in the heads of fans still living in 2023.
In reality, there's no competition.