Manchester City’s Nathan Aké is starting to prove his doubters wrong, with his ability always have been there.
That’s according to defender Patrick van Aanholt, who has praised the Manchester City man as he shines in Pep Guardiola’s new system.
Aké moved to the Etihad in a €45.3m deal from Bournemouth in August 2020 after seven years in England with the likes of Chelsea, Watford and then the Cherries.
The price Manchester City paid for him was questioned at the time and that continued to be the case since, particularly with the Dutchman playing a rotational role under Guardiola at best.
That has changed this season, though, with the defender making 23 appearance in the Premier League so far and featuring in 62% of the available minutes.
He’s started to shine as part of a new look system implemented by the Spanish coach, which has seen him part of a back three alongside Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji.
He’s impressed on the left of that three, earning rave reviews for his performances as Manchester City have picked up pace at the end of the season and pushed for a potential treble.
Van Aanholt is delighted to see that happening, insisting his compatriot was always a talented player and deserved recognition sooner.
“I am a big fan of Nathan, he has known that for years,” he Voetbal International, relayed by Soccer News.
“He’s a top player. Nathan has everything, only he wasn’t appreciated nearly as much. Now everyone is starting to see this, but he was always so good.”
