Nathan Ake has allayed concerns over his injury situation following his recent injury scare during Manchester City’s pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich. The Dutch defender was forced to leave the match early after sustaining a calf injury, casting doubts over his availability for the final pre-season fixture against Atletico Madrid.
However, manager Pep Guardiola assured fans that the substitution was a precautionary measure ahead of the upcoming season. Ake, 28, provided further reassurance to reporters in Seoul, stating that the injury is not serious and that he expects to be fully fit in the coming week.
With City preparing to face Arsenal in the Community Shield a week from Sunday, Ake’s positive outlook hints at a possible inclusion in the squad for the season opener. Nonetheless, the center-back is unlikely to be risked in the final friendly against Atletico Madrid to avoid any further complications.
Ake’s Contract Extension Bolsters City’s Defensive Options
Amid the injury news, Manchester City received a significant boost regarding Nathan Ake’s future at the club. The Manchester Evening News reports that the defender, who currently has two years left on his contract, is set to sign a new deal extending his stay until 2027.
The contract extension underscores City’s confidence in Ake’s abilities and his importance to the team’s defensive setup. Guardiola’s side will undoubtedly benefit from having the experienced Dutchman as part of their squad for the foreseeable future.
Guardiola’s Defensive Plans Taking Shape Ahead of New Season
As the new season approaches, Pep Guardiola’s defensive plans seem to be falling into place with the positive injury update on Nathan Ake and his imminent contract extension. The manager can now look forward to having a fit and committed Ake bolstering his defensive options in the upcoming campaign.
With the player’s recovery on track, all eyes will be on Ake’s potential involvement in the highly anticipated clash against Arsenal in the Community Shield. As City aims to build on their previous successes, having a reliable and determined defender like Nathan Ake in the ranks will undoubtedly be crucial to their ambitions.
