According to The Sun(via Manchester Evening News), Manchester City are considering a move for Nathan Ake in the upcoming January transfer window. The Bournemouth defender has been identified as a key target for the Sky Blues, who are apparently keen on bolstering their defensive options.
Ake has been linked with a move back to Chelsea as well while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have also shown interest. Therefore, we could potentially witness a bidding war for Ake in January but will it be a sensible move from Manchester City’s perspective?
Nathan Ake: Player attributes and stats
The 23-year-old centre-half initially rose to prominence with Bournemouth during the 2017/18 campaign. Since then, he has become a first-team regular, who has featured in every league match for the Cherries this season.
Ake’s doggedness in defence has attracted the interest of several top clubs across England. But most importantly Super Kamagra, his formidable defensive partnership with Steve Cook has helped Bournemouth stay afloat in the top six.
Although the Dutchman may not obtain very good numbers when it comes to defensive statistics, having averaged 1.4 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game, it’s his neat positioning, which helps him stay one step ahead of the opposing attackers.
Indeed, Ake’s positioning is remarkable as he barely gets caught off-guard and has been dribbled past only thrice in nine matches this season. His average of six clearances per game is also indicative of the fact that he is ready to take the no-nonsense approach when required.
There is no doubt that his inclusion into the Bournemouth lineup has coincided with some of the best performances from the south coast giants in the Premier League.
Nathan Ake could be an interesting signing for Manchester City
Nathan Ake is undoubtedly one of the most promising young defenders in the Premier League and his addition to Manchester City could be an interesting move. The Citizens already possess the services of John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte, who has been excellent this season.
That being said, Vincent Kompany is nearing the end of his career and City certainly need a long-term replacement for the Belgian international. Ake, in that regard, could be a viable choice. He is intelligent and is blessed with excellent passing abilities, which tunes in with Pep Guardiola’s Juego de posicion.
Most importantly, Ake also has an ample amount of experience in the English top flight, which makes him a significantly safer option compared to other highly-rated defenders available across Europe.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
