Former Premier League winger urges Manchester City defender to leave Etihad Stadium | OneFootball

Manchester City and Netherlands international defender Nathan Ake has been urged to leave the Etihad Stadium in the coming months by one of his compatriots.

The 30-year-old has increasingly found himself on the margins of Pep Guardiola’s defensive rotation, and while remaining a trusted option, fierce competition from Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol in particular has limited his involvement.

Now, with the next major international tournament fast approaching, the emphasis on regular minutes has sharpened for the Dutchman, acutely aware that his standing with the national side is tied directly to his role at club level.

Recent weeks have seen no shortage of transfer speculation concerning the Manchester City man, with the likes of Crystal Palace, AC Milan, and West Ham all credited with interest in January, while the likes of Atlético Madrid and Monaco have also been linked.

However, Manchester City officials ultimately closed the door on a mid-season exit for Nathan Ake, largely due to injury setbacks elsewhere in defence that left Pep Guardiola reluctant to sanction any departures.

But speaking during a new interview with Futbin.com, former Dutch international and Southampton forward Eljero Elia has urged his compatriot Ake to move on from City when the next opportunity to do so comes around.

“It’s time for Nathan Aké to move on,” Elia insisted. “He has to play more games at this age. He’s done everything he can at Manchester City. He’s won the league and the Champions League.”

The former winger continued, “Sometimes you have to move on. Sometimes you have to go to another club. He can’t come back to Holland, though. The criticism in Holland is harder than in England.”

Elia’s comments reflect a growing sentiment within Dutch football that Nathan Aké’s situation is becoming unsustainable if he wishes to remain a guaranteed starter internationally, especially with the FIFA World Cup approaching.

While Manchester City have never actively pushed the defender out – and have reportedly valued him at around £21 million – they have also been open to listening to suitable proposals, particularly with his contract edging towards its final stages.

Looking ahead, the summer window increasingly appears to be a decisive moment, and Aké is likely to be keen to secure consistent football next season. For City fans, Aké has been a dependable contributor during one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, but the coming months may determine whether his Etihad chapter is nearing its conclusion.