Nathan Ake nearing Man City exit after 'failing to impress' in Netherlands defeat - view
Nathan Ake failed in his first audition for new Man City boss Enzo Maresca as the Netherlands crashed out of the World Cup against Morocco.
Ake started in the Netherlands' round of 32 clash against Morocco in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the Monterrey Stadium.
Liverpool man Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 72nd minute for Ronald Koeman's side, but Fulham defender Issa Diop levelled the scoreline in added time.
Justin Kluivert and Crysencio Summerville were among those to miss their spot kicks before Ismael Saibari sealed a 3-2 shootout win for Morocco.
Ake is facing an uncertain future at Man City, and Dutch media were left unimpressed by his performance in the loss.
Maresca will surely also have been left unmoved by the showing on his first watch of the 31-year-old since being officially appointed as the new Citizens boss.
He looks increasingly likely to leave the Etihad Stadium before long, especially with a return on the cards soon after crashing out of the World Cup.
What did Dutch media say about Nathan Ake after their loss to Morocco?
Ake came into the Netherlands' starting eleven at left-back in their final group game against Tunisia last week.
He retained his place in the side at left centre-back on Tuesday morning, as Koeman surprisingly switched to a five-defender formation.
Sportnieuws handed him a 5.5 rating after the Morocco clash and wrote a more general review of his performances, saying: "Ake started twice: against Tunisia and in the loss to Morocco. Once he played left back, and the other time as the third center back. He failed to impress in either position and often had his hands full with his direct opponent.
"It’s clear that his limited playing time at Manchester City has taken its toll on him. He failed to make any kind of impact with the Dutch national team."
VoetbalPrimeur were slightly more appreciative, as he was given a six while they wrote: "Solid, businesslike, fine. Ake did a lot of things right without standing out, though he sometimes fell just short of keeping up when Morocco stormed down the right flank again. Not a standout performance, but a reliable one."
However, VI NL did not think he impressed in the loss as Koeman's game-plan "didn't work out as hoped" and he was their lowest-rated player alongside Virgil van Dijk, with a five out of 10.
Ake is clearly struggling to remain up to standard for international games, and he could well be on the chopping block at City this summer as Maresca plans changes to his backline.
Which clubs are interested in Ake right now?
Sources have told Football Insider that Man City could sell Ake this summer as Everton eye a move for the Dutchman.
The Toffees have been linked with a move for his services for several months now, and could seal a cut-price deal as he enters the final year of his contract.
Fenerbahce are also targeting Ake right now, with newly-elected president Aziz Yildirim publicly insisting earlier in June that he wants to sign the 31-year-old.