Guardiola admits he does not know if Man City star will stay at the club this summer | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has discussed the future of defender Nathan Ake, who could leave the club this summer.

The Netherlands international is now 31-years-old and has spent the past six years at the Etihad. However, with his contract set to expire next summer, his time in Manchester could be nearing its end.

“He has a contract for one more year with us, right? I wish he’d stay with us,” Guardiola answered on Ake’s future. “I wish he’d stay with us, but I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

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Following the emergence of Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi as a centre-back pairing, and with initial first-choice duo Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol yet to return from injury, Guardiola will soon have a surplus of central defenders on his hands.

Add to this list the experienced Ake and, as well as youngsters Max Alleyne and Vitor Reis, who will soon return from his loan at Girona, and it is clear that City have are stacked in the middle of defence.

Squad depth is important but having eight players for two positions is unsustainable, especially given Guardiola’s preference for smaller squads. As such, multiple centre-back departures can be expected from the Etihad this summer. Stones’ exit has already been announced and, having suffered similar injury struggles, Ake may well follow suit.

The Dutch defender has made just five league starts this season, after also failing to crack double figures last term. Nevertheless, City’s boss maintains utmost admiration for him.

Guardiola insisted: “Listen, Nathan is maybe sometimes not reliable in physicality. But there are few players more reliable when they play than him.

“With the job he has to do, in terms of what he has to do with the ball and without the ball, in terms of focus, Nathan is one of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s just unbelievable.

“The problem is sometimes, when it’s every three days, three days, three days, he struggles. But look at the final of the Carabao Cup or the semi-finals, or the last game, for example, against Brentford.

“Apart from that, He’s one of the most incredible teammates, for a manager, for his teammates, like ever. Incredible signing from Bournemouth, incredible signing for this tenure.

“He played the final Champions League in Istanbul, so that means how reliable he is. Top guy and top player.”

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