Pep Guardiola wants a reliable defender to remain at Manchester City after this season | OneFootball

Nathan Ake has shown his tremendous value to Manchester City in his most recent starts at centre-back. Ake was superb as City beat Brentford 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday. He was also brilliant in City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final when he started at Wembley at the end of February. Whenever Ake is called upon by Pep Guardiola he never lets his team down. That has been a trait that has defined Ake’s time at Manchester City. Speaking yesterday ahead of Manchester City’s important Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, Pep Guardiola wants Ake to remain at City for next season. Whether or not this occurs remains to be seen, but there is certainly merit to the idea.

Pep Guardiola wants Nathan Ake to remain at Manchester City for next season but he is unsure what the future holds.

Speaking yesterday ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Crystal Palace, Pep Guardiola praised Nathan Ake for the role he plays in this Manchester City squad. Guardiola explained that Ake cannot play every three days anymore, but he is always ready to play, and perform at his best when called upon. Guardiola explained: “Nathan the job he has to do in terms of focus, is one of the best and there are few players who are more reliable.”

“If he has to play every few days, he struggles, but the final of the Carabao Cup, the last game against Brentford, he is complete. Wow.  He is one of the best I ever had. Apart from that he is one of the most incredible team mates for his manager and his team-mates and has been an incredible signing from Bournemouth.”

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

Lastly, Pep Guardiola explained that he is hopeful that Nathan Ake remains at Manchester City for next season. Although he admitted that he was unsure what the future holds for the Dutch international. Guardiola added: “One more year, right? I wish he stays with us, but I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Nathan Ake could have an important role to play at City next season.

Experienced players will leave Manchester City this summer. John Stones and Bernardo Silva will depart the club when their contracts expire. Their departures will leave a sizable void in the City squad in terms of experience. There is an argument to be made that if Ake left City this summer, too much experience would leave the club. This Manchester City side hasn’t yet grasped Pep Guardiola’s concepts or what it takes to sustain a title charge. Ake knows exactly what it takes as one of City’s elder statesmen.

Also, Nathan Ake has shown this season, especially lately, that he can still play at a high level. While Ake wouldn’t be a regular starter at City next season, he could play a similar role to the one he has played this season. The question may be if Ake wants to, or does he want to play regularly elsewhere? That may dictate whether or not Pep Guardiola gets his wish in keeping Ake at City next season.

Pep Guardiola wants Nathan Ake to remain at Manchester City for next season. There is certainly merit to the idea given Ake’s experience and dependability as a player. Whether or not that occurs won’t be known until this summer’s transfer window has closed.