Nathan Ake lifts lid on ‘difficult’ Manchester City future talks with Pep Guardiola

Manchester City defender Nathan Ake has revealed the strain of his reduced role at the Etihad this season and the candid conversations he has held with manager Pep Guardiola about his fading prospects in the first-team squad.

The 31-year-old Netherlands international, who arrived from Bournemouth in 2020 and has collected four Premier League winners’ medals, has slipped behind Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol in the central-defensive hierarchy and has seen Nico O’Reilley establish himself at left-back. With Marc Guehi arriving from Crystal Palace in January, Max Alleyne returning from loan and January signing Abdukodir Khusanov impressing, Ake’s opportunities have become increasingly scarce.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Ake admitted the situation has tested him mentally. “To be honest, it’s difficult to deal with at times,” he said, as quoted by Sport Witness. “Also, because I was in the starting line-up more in recent years than this season. I’ve also spoken to the manager about it. He indicated things are a bit different this year. Mentally, it demands a bit more at times. You always have to be ready when you suddenly have to play.”

Guardiola praised Ake’s performance in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal at Wembley, where the centre-back delivered a man-of-the-match display to help City secure their first trophy in two seasons. Yet that standout outing has done little to alter the broader trajectory of his campaign, with only intermittent minutes and persistent fitness issues limiting his impact.

Ake’s current contract expires next summer, and with sporting director Hugo Viana now overseeing squad planning, City are expected to sanction a defensive overhaul. Ake, along with John Stones and on-loan Manuel Akanji, is anticipated to leave, while Brazilian prospect Vitor Reis could be recalled after a breakthrough season at Girona.

Interest from across Europe continues to circulate around the Dutchman, who concedes the uncertainty weighs heavily during a World Cup year. For now, Ake’s focus remains on staying prepared, knowing each appearance could be his last in City colours.