Manager reveals Manchester City star “bothered” by Pep Guardiola’s line-up decisions | OneFootball

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has relayed frustrations from Nathan Ake concerning his limited minutes on the field at Manchester City.

The Dutchman has been called up to the Netherlands squad for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania this month, despite playing just 391 minutes for Pep Guardiola’s side so far this season.

The former Bournemouth man has made a total of 153 appearances for Manchester City since his £41 million arrival from the Cherries and has won six Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League crown throughout his time in the North-West.

But due to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias continuing to ornament an unassailable duo at the back with academy graduate Nico O’Reilly flourishing at left-back too, there has been no room for Ake.

And that situation appears to have left the versatile defender unhappy, as international head coach Ronald Koeman told reporters this week as relayed by De Telegraaf and translated by Sport Witness, “Nathan himself is also bothered by the fact that he’s not playing.”

Koeman continued, “But he is one of the captains of my team. Moreover, he’s a left-footed defender while we generally have a lot of right-footed central defenders.

“He’s an important player for me who has always been there when I needed him. That makes all the difference for me that he’s in the squad.” 

Nathan Ake has a contract valid until 2027 at the Etihad Stadium, but if a lack of minutes continues to shield the defender’s importance and talent, he could opt for a move elsewhere as early as January due to the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in the summer.

For context, Ake has played just twice for Manchester City since the recent October international break, and a spot at next year’s FIFA World Cup is still doubtful for the 30-year-old.

“Is he also guaranteed a place in the World Cup next year? That’s still a long way off,” Ronald Koeman told reporters this week.

Should injuries jeopardise Manchester City’s back-line at any point, Nathan Ake may secure more minutes on the pitch under Pep Guardiola.

However, even without the likes of aforementioned players such as Gvardiol, Dias and O’Reilly, there is still debate over whether Rayan Ait-Nouri, John Stones, and perhaps Rico Lewis would be selected ahead of the Netherlands international.