Nathan Ake responds to Erling Haaland’s message after he makes Man City return
Manchester City are keen to make up for lost time after their delayed return to Etihad Campus for pre-season training.
Pep Guardiola‘s side head into next season off the back of their first trophyless campaign since his first in 2016–17, and one longer than any other due to Man City‘s participation in the Club World Cup.
Man City’s involvement in the tournament ended earlier than expected with a shock defeat to Al-Hilal in the round of 16, but exactly a month later Guardiola’s squad are back in action ahead of the new season.
A £115million spree of transfers before the Club World Cup has been followed up by further spending in the off-season, leaving players like Nathan Ake with uncertain futures after his injury-afflicted campaign.
Haaland sends encouraging Man City message
City have stepped up their efforts to bolster next season’s squad with the £27m re-signing of James Trafford from Burnley, but the make-up of the defence which lines up in front of him is still up for debate.
Ake was limited to just 20 appearances in all competitions last term with several spells on the sidelines, and is likely behind Ruben Dias, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji ahead of next season.
The £31.8m signing of Rayan Ait-Nouri further bolsters Man City’s left-back stocks and could potentially limited Ake’s game-time further, but further forward, there’s little doubt who’ll be leading the line for City.
Erling Haaland is one of Guardiola’s new vice-captains heading into the campaign, and he posted on Instagram (29 July) after Man City’s first pre-season training session.
Ake was one of several players to like Haaland’s post, which said: “Back at the Etihad Campus… Time to work!!”
Guardiola spoilt for choice after Man City spending spree
Football Insider Verdict
Ake was one of several players tipped to leave Man City this summer as part of a huge overhaul on Guardiola’s watch, but he has stayed put so far alongside the likes of John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
Guardiola has instead prioritised moving on Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and James McAtee, but this won’t do much to help Ake’s chances of increased game-time with several centre-back options present.
The arrivals of Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders will provide Haaland and co with plenty of ammunition in attack, but it remains to be seen if Guardiola can successfully re-shape a winning team with so many new parts.