Our Premier League campaign gets underway tonight, which may have seemed like an eternity to some of you. But that is not the only good news of the day.
What’s been said?
The 25-year-old made the switch to the Etihad Stadium this summer for a fee believed to be around £40m, after suffering relegation with his former side Bournemouth last season.
Let’s be honest, he was never going to stay with the Cherries. With us desperately needing to sign defenders this summer, it was only right that we made the move for him.
We weren’t the only club that he was linked with. Manchester United were also keen in his services, with their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer caught on camera telling Ake that he is a player that the Red Devils could have done with.
Inevitably, we won the race to sign the Dutchman as we look to regain our Premier League title this season. Taking all of this into consideration, Ake gave his side of the story and spoke of his delight that he is playing for such a big club.
Will City sign another CB to join Ake at the Etihad this summer?
Yes
No
“There was interest from others but I’d rather not say which clubs, he told the Manchester Evening News.
“I made the decision to come here, I spoke with the manager, had a good conversation with him and when a club like City comes in for you, just knowing you’re going to learn so much and being able to play with players like this and train under a manager like this, I just knew I could develop myself even more.
“I think I’m at the perfect age now where I can learn and develop and I thought it was the right place to do it.
“The manager has improved so many players over the years and that’s what I’m looking to do as well to come here at the beginning of the week and work with him to try and see where I can improve tactically, what he expects of me. I’m just looking forward to hopefully taking my game to the next level.
Ake added that he is looking forward to learning from Guardiola and is excited to see what is going to happen in the next 12 months.
Manchester is blue
Even though he didn’t admit it, which I was hoping he was going to, we know deep down that he chose us over United, especially after Solskjaer got caught with his mouth open at the wrong time.
I’m personally looking forward to seeing what Ake can bring, and wondering whether Chelsea let go another hidden gem as they did with Kevin De Bruyne.
Ake is on a similar path to our Belgian superstar. Whether he can replicate his success is another question entirely. But his signing alone is not going to fix our issues at the back.
After conceding 67 goals in the Premier League last season, we need to find someone that can fill the boots of Vincent Kompany. Kalidou Koulibaly would be a dream signing for me and both players have the chance to form a successful defensive partnership.
There is still plenty of time left for that to happen. Fingers crossed.