With the end of the 2021/22 season fast approaching, the team at GSH has collected information about players across the world that we believe should be playing in Claret and Blue next season. We’re calling this series ‘GSH Transfer Player Profiles’, with this edition focusing on Premier League and Europa League winning centre back, Nathan Aké.
Fast Facts about Nathan Aké
Full name: Nathan Benjamin Aké
Age: 27
Nationality: Dutch
Current Club: Manchester City, signed for £41million in 2020
Previous Clubs (Senior Level): Chelsea, Watford (Loan), Reading (Loan), AFC Bournemouth
Market value (According to TransferMarkt): £22.50million
Random Fact: Despite playing for his national team at every level since U15, Aké was also eligible to play for Ivory Coast – the home of his father.
Nathan Aké’s Career Background
Aké’s first taste of English football came in 2010 when Chelsea paid a rumoured £230,000 to Feyenoord for the then 15-year-old. He made his first Premier League appearance for the Blues in 2012, after being pipped a ‘Dutch prodigy’ aged 18. That season, he was voted Chelsea’s ‘Young Player of the Year’, and in 2013, signed a 5-year extension, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2018. He spent the majority of this period at other clubs, with loans at Reading, Watford, and Bournemouth respectively. Aké made a great impact at all three clubs; winning the ‘Young Player of the Season’ award at Watford in 2016, and the ‘Supporters Player of the Season’ award at Bournemouth in 2018. He permanently transferred to AFC Bournemouth at the start of the 2017/18 season, making 121 appearances for The Cherries in his four seasons at the club. Manchester City came calling in 2020, with Aké becoming Bournemouth’s most expensive departure, signing with The Citizens for an estimated £41million.
Nathan Aké’s Statistics This Season
Aké has proven a solid back-up defender for Manchester City this season. He has struggled to see consistent action, with Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and John Stones all ahead in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order. However, injuries to other centre backs have enabled Aké to play 11 games in the Premier League so far in this campaign; 24 in all competitions. His statistics, despite the few Premier League games he has played, shows just how good of a player he is. The Dutchman is strong on the ground, completing 28 tackles and 12 blocks for his team. He has also proved very strong in the air this season for Manchester City, winning 83% of his aerial duels. This is his strongest aerial season yet, and indicates the talent he has in and around the box. Guardiola’s sides are well known to play good passing football, and more or less always pass through the backline. This is shown in Aké’s passing statistics this season, with 685 passes completed, and a success rate of 92%. Currently, Aké plays in one of the best teams in the world, obviously assisting his chances of success. However, his passing success rates have been strong throughout his career, be it in a Bournemouth, Chelsea, or Watford shirt.
The Opinions of City Fans about Nathan Aké
It’s always good to know the opinions of the fans supporting the transfer-rumoured players club. Here, a selection of Manchester City fans give their judgement on their number 6.
When Nathan Ake signed for City, a Bournemouth fan told me he was their best-ever player and a supreme defender. It’s took me two years to realise that he was spot on.
— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) April 5, 2022
Why Would Aké be a Good Fit for West Ham?
A centre back of Aké’s quality should not be passed up, if given the opportunity. Rumours suggest David Moyes is interested in the player, to boost his rather thin backline. Reuniting him with former Chelsea teammate Kurt Zouma, or partnering the Dutchman with standout defender Craig Dawson, is a dream in all West Ham fan’s heads. Currently, Dawson remains the only senior centre back in the squad, with injuries to Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna, and Issa Diop. Furthermore, Aké has impressed at all levels of professional football, and has the vital European experience that can aid West Ham’s journey across the continent. A solid defender, with passing skills to match; he may just be the man the Hammers need in this position.