Nathan Ake: I can cover 3 positions for Manchester City

Nathan Ake believes his versatility will prove to be a very useful asset for Manchester City and discussed how talks with Pep Guardiola occurred.

Manchester City recently snapped up Ake on a €45.3m deal from the relegated Bournemouth after struggling with defensive issues throughout their 2019/20 Premier League campaign.

The former Chelsea man certainly impressed during his four years in the Bournemouth defense. Not only did he prove indispensable for the Cherries, but he became one of the English top-flight’s most respected center-backs.

Ake has now taken his career to the next step by joining City on a five-year deal to replace Vincent Kompany and opened up on how early talks with Guardiola unfolded.

“We talked about normal life first,” he told Voetbal International.

“That includes everything – family and how we are as people. That was easy and automatic. It is nice to get to know someone like this, for him too.

But while the Dutchman will likely fill in as a center-half, he’s also capable of playing at left-back and in a holding midfield role.

Ake continued: Then it was about [the fact] that I can play in multiple positions. They are happy with that and they told me that. I think it’s a bonus that I can play football in three positions.

“I think we had a good conversation with each other. There was a warm feeling that felt good right away.”

Ake is currently preparing for the Netherlands’ Nations League opener against Poland on Friday night.