For the past few months, Manchester City has been widely connected with a deal for Josko Gvardiol, and many fans have already started to plan their starting XIs with the Croatian on the left of the defense.
It is likely that Gvardiol will eventually be the subject of a sale.
Additionally, it would be a thrilling transfer.
Gvardiol, who RB Leipzig estimates to be worth at least £85 million, has the potential to surpass all other center halves in football.
And under Pep Guardiola’s direction, he very well might accomplish this in just a few seasons.
But although everyone are anticipating the arrival of the “phenomenal” Gvardiol, it is important to remember how incredible Nathan Ake has been recently for City.
Nathan Ake would not have earned a spot on Man City’s bench to begin the season.
Ake was City’s unsung hero the previous season. Or at least he was during the first two-thirds of the campaign before it was properly apparent how effective he had been. He afterwards became highly “sung.”
Last season, Ake hardly ever misplaced a foot.
The Dutchman was Guardiola’s go-to choice on the left flank when he made the decision to switch things up and go to a back three.
And he was flawless in the part.
Nobody managed to get past him, and he even made an aggressive threat. Who could forget his spectacular goal against Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup?
He was unsure when he first joined City in a £41 million transfer from Bournemouth.
But in the previous season, it was evident that he had completely changed as a player.
He has truly developed into one of the top defenders in the Premier League after listening to everything Guardiola has to say to him.
And for this reason, despite rumors of Gvardiol’s impending arrival, he does not deserve to begin the new campaign on the bench. Ake did not have the season he just did to be sent to the sidelines.
If he signs, Gvardiol should attempt to earn a starting position.
If the Gvardiol trade goes through, Ake should be fired from the team, if we are to presume that it will.
He might show up with lots of cash. But he must be admitted on the basis of merit.
Guardiola is a remarkably devoted boss. Typically, he will select athletes who merit playing.
Near the end of the season, Ake experienced some injury issues. But during the previous season, City pretty much always chose him.
The 28-year-old was obviously very attractive to Pep, and we can only hope that Ake joins the team to begin the season.
Of course, the Spaniard has a reputation for making brutal decisions. Ask Gabriel Jesus, please.
But when City’s opening match against Burnley comes around, perhaps Ake gets spared from this.