Pep Guardiola has suggested Man City would regret selling Nathan Ake amid Chelsea reports

Whenever Pep Guardiola talks about Nathan Ake, there is a common theme in the messages from the Manchester City manager.

Ake joined City two years ago for £41m from Bournemouth to strengthen a defence that had been hampered by injuries the season before. He immediately strengthened the back line, but the later arrival of Ruben Dias that summer meant he went from competing with two other centre-backs for two spots, to rivalling John Stones and Aymeric Laporte for just one spot next to the impressive Dias.

However, whenever Ake has been given a chance under Guardiola, he has almost always turned in a solid performance and helped out in different positions when needed. So it's hardly a surprise that he's been linked with Newcastle and Chelsea this summer.

Clearly a player good enough for a more senior role in a top Premier League side, Ake would be fully justified in seeking a move for more first team football. But given Guardiola's previous comments on the versatile defender, it's clear to see that he would prefer Ake to stay rather than join a rival, because he has regularly praised the no.6's professionalism and quality when he gets the chance.

In May 2021 after Ake came in towards the end of the season away to Crystal Palace, Guardiola picked the defender out for praise, saying: "[Nathan is] one of the other reasons I'm so satisfied. I love the nice guys and he's one of the nicest. He's struggled a lot this season with injuries, when he struggles and can't play it's not pleasing for us.

"A perfect performance, defensively always incredibly focused, defended the box with his life. He is one who knows if he is able to retain the rhythm for the last part of the season, I'm pretty sure he will play a big part."

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