Whenever Pep Guardiola talks about Nathan Ake, there is a common theme in the messages from the Manchester City manager.
Ake joined City two years ago for £41m from Bournemouth to strengthen a defence that had been hampered by injuries the season before. He immediately strengthened the back line, but the later arrival of Ruben Dias that summer meant he went from competing with two other centre-backs for two spots, to rivalling John Stones and Aymeric Laporte for just one spot next to the impressive Dias.
However, whenever Ake has been given a chance under Guardiola, he has almost always turned in a solid performance and helped out in different positions when needed. So it's hardly a surprise that he's been linked with Newcastle and Chelsea this summer.
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Clearly a player good enough for a more senior role in a top Premier League side, Ake would be fully justified in seeking a move for more first team football. But given Guardiola's previous comments on the versatile defender, it's clear to see that he would prefer Ake to stay rather than join a rival, because he has regularly praised the no.6's professionalism and quality when he gets the chance.
MEN Sport understand that City would require at least £50m for Ake, plus they would need to get a replacement in this window. Guardiola and City often allow players to leave if acceptable offers come in, but Ake leaving would put them short in numbers at the back, and the manager's previous comments would support their desire to keep him if possible.
In May 2021 after Ake came in towards the end of the season away to Crystal Palace, Guardiola picked the defender out for praise, saying: "[Nathan is] one of the other reasons I'm so satisfied. I love the nice guys and he's one of the nicest. He's struggled a lot this season with injuries, when he struggles and can't play it's not pleasing for us.
"A perfect performance, defensively always incredibly focused, defended the box with his life. He is one who knows if he is able to retain the rhythm for the last part of the season, I'm pretty sure he will play a big part."
Going into this season, Guardiola referenced Ake's ability to cover at left-back for City, or come in for a back three, when he said in October: "Nathan is an alternative [at left-back]. He is not a left-back to do overlaps…he is not just this type of guy.
"But he is so focused, so concentrated. He is an intelligent guy and on Saturday our build-up was with three at the back with Aymer more in the centre and John more on the right. It suited us perfectly.
"Against a team like Burnley, they are strong in the air and at set pieces and corners and it helped to have a player Nathan alongside John, Aymer and Rodri then Ferna [Fernandinho] in the last few minutes.
"It’s a joy to have him — Nathan is a great guy. He always trains well and is loved by the team. This type of person when I can give them minutes, I am really pleased for them."
Guardiola summed up Ake's difficulties as a back-up centre-back in December, but challenged him and other fringe players to always be ready and highlighted the Dutchman as an example of someone who trains perfectly.
"Sometimes I'm mad and take decisions people weren't thinking, and some who people don't expect to play play, like Cole Palmer against Everton," he said.
"Nobody expected it and he played. Everybody has to be ready and it's good everyone is back because December is really tough with the amount of games. We need everyone fresh to win, win and win again.
"Nathan is an example for us, Aleks is, the same with Dinho. All the time, no complaining and training. I said myself we must win this game especially for these guys who don't play much and they made a really good performance.
"Normally when you behave like this and you don't play, always you play good. I don't know why. Maybe it's the karma, I don't know but it happens. When you go there, *chef's kiss*, everything is going well. When you don't behave like this, sometimes you go there and have to show it and after you play not good. It's all the time like this."
And in April, when Ake got more opportunities in the run-in this season due to injuries in defence, Guardiola praised two brilliant, reactive goal-line clearances made by Ake over the season.
He said: "Against Burnley, Nathan Ake made the same action [a goalline clearance] that he made against Arsenal because he is ready, and in this action he helped us to win in London against Arsenal and now be top of the league. Nathan didn't play much this season but always he is ready. In this part of the season, that will be a decisive moment."
Finally, last month, Guardiola praised Ake's off-field influence that has helped City to back-to-back Premier League titles.
“He is so reliable. In the bad phases he is always helping," he said. "When he doesn’t get the minutes he deserves and then gets the minutes, he's thinking about the other ones and has done well.
“He is an exceptional person. The older I get, the more aware of this kind of behaviour I am. Your life is better when you behave like this.”
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