Nathan Aké

Nathan Benjamin Aké (born 18 February 1995) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Manchester City and the Netherlands national team. Although he predominantly plays as a centre back, he has also been deployed as a left back.[5]

Nathan Aké
Aké playing for Chelsea in 2013
Personal information
Full name Nathan Benjamin Aké[1]
Date of birth (1995-02-18) 18 February 1995[2]
Place of birth The Hague, Netherlands
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back, left-back[4]
Club information
Current team
 Manchester City
Number 6
Youth career
2003–2007 ADO Den Haag
2007–2011 Feyenoord
2011–2012 Chelsea
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2017 Chelsea 7 (0)
2015 → Reading (loan) 5 (0)
2015–2016 → Watford (loan) 24 (1)
2016–2017 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) 10 (3)
2017–2020 AFC Bournemouth 105 (8)
2020– Manchester City 6 (1)
National team‡
2009–2010 Netherlands U15 5 (0)
2010–2011 Netherlands U16 6 (3)
2011–2012 Netherlands U17 27 (3)
2012–2013 Netherlands U19 8 (3)
2013–2016 Netherlands U21 22 (2)
2017– Netherlands 19 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:10, 26 December 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 November 2020

Club career

Early career

Aké agreed to join the Chelsea youth system from Feyenoord in 2010 at age 15.[6] He had played at Feyenoord since age 12 after joining the club from ADO Den Haag.[7]

Aké made his Premier League debut on 26 December 2012 against Norwich City as a 17-year-old, replacing Juan Mata in added time at the end of a 1–0 win at Carrow Road.[8] He made his first start for the club in the FA Cup on 27 February 2013 in a 2–0 win against Championship team Middlesbrough.[9] He was chosen to start in a defensive midfield position for Chelsea in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash with Rubin Kazan in Russia on 11 April, a match that finished in a 3–2 loss but resulted in a 5–4 aggregate victory.[10] Aké was an unused substitute for Chelsea in the Europa League final against Benfica at the Amsterdam Arena on 16 May, which Chelsea won 2–1.[11] He was voted Chelsea's Young Player of the Year on 16 May,[12] and made his first Premier League start three days later in the 2–1 win against Everton at Stamford Bridge on the last matchday of the season.

On 8 August 2013, Aké signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea, lasting until 2018.[13] Following his permanent promotion to the first team, on 21 October 2014, Aké made his UEFA Champions League debut from the substitutes' bench, coming into the match for Cesc Fàbregas in the 60th minute during a 6–0 home win over Maribor, and provided an assist for Eden Hazard's second goal.[14]

Loan spells
Aké training with Watford in 2015

On 25 March 2015, Aké was loaned to Championship club Reading for one month,[15] making his first of five appearances against Cardiff City in a 1–1 draw ten days later.[16] Although he only made one league appearance for Chelsea the entire season, as a substitute in a 3–0 loss at West Bromwich Albion on 18 May,[17] manager José Mourinho said Aké would receive a winner's medal for his contribution to the team that season.[18]

On 14 August 2015, Aké completed a season-long loan move to newly promoted Premier League club Watford,[19] after having signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea.[20] Eleven days later, he made his debut for the Hornets in a League Cup second round match against Preston North End, which ended in a 1–0 defeat for his team.[21] Aké played his first Premier League match coming off the substitutes' bench against Newcastle United 19 September 2015, helping the Hornets hold on for a 2–1 win.[22] He scored his first senior goal on 20 December, opening a 3–0 win over Liverpool at Vicarage Road in the fourth minute, after goalkeeper Ádám Bogdán dropped a corner kick.[23]

During his time with the Hornets, manager Quique Sánchez Flores primarily deployed Aké as a left back.[5] His performance and work ethics earned him the Watford's Young Player of the Season award.[24]

On 29 June 2016, Aké joined AFC Bournemouth on loan for the 2016–17 season.[25] On 21 August, he made his Bournemouth debut in a 1–0 away defeat against West Ham United, replacing Jordon Ibe following teammate Harry Arter's dismissal after a challenge on Cheikhou Kouyaté.[26] Following the defeat to West Ham, Aké made his full debut against Morecambe in the second round of the EFL Cup on 24 August.[27] On 19 November, in his first Premier League start, Aké scored his first goal for Bournemouth in a 1–0 away victory over Stoke City.[28]

On 4 December 2016, Bournemouth played Liverpool and overturned a 3–1 deficit with 15 minutes to go to win the match 4–3; Aké scoring the winning goal in the 93rd minute minutes, his third Premier League goal and the second against Liverpool.

Return to Chelsea

Aké was recalled by Chelsea on 8 January 2017,[29] making his first appearance for the club since the recall on 28 January in a 4–0 FA Cup fourth round victory over fellow West London club Brentford.[30] He was also selected to start in Chelsea's 2–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the fifth round of the same competition on 18 February.[31]

On 22 April, Aké started alongside David Luiz and César Azpilicueta in central defence in Chelsea's 4–2 FA Cup semi-final victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium.[32]

AFC Bournemouth

On 30 June 2017, Aké signed a contract with Premier League club Bournemouth on a permanent basis for a club record of £20 million transfer fee, with the player officially re-joining the club the following day, when the 2017 transfer window opened.[33] On 21 July, it was reported his former club Chelsea had inserted a buy-back clause for Aké in his transfer contract.[34]

Manchester City

On 5 August 2020, Aké signed for Manchester City, on a five-year deal, for a reported fee of £41 million.[35]

Aké started and debuted in City's first game of the season, winning 3–1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home in the Premier League.[36] On 27 September 2020, he scored his first goal for City in a 2–5 home defeat against Leicester City.[37] On 3 November 2020, Aké made his Champions League debut for City in a 3–0 home win over Olympiacos in the group stage.[38]

International career

Aké has represented the Netherlands at every youth level since his under-15 debut in 2009, making 54 appearances in total.[39] He has captained both the U17 and the U19 tems. Aké was selected into both squads that won the UEFA European Under-17 Championships in 2011 and 2012 in Serbia and in Slovenia, respectively.[40]

Aké was also eligible to represent the Ivory Coast through his father Moise.[41]

Aké made his senior international debut in a friendly against Morocco, who were beaten 1–2 by the Netherlands.[42]

Style of play

Aké has been praised for his versatility, being able to play at both full back, centre back and in defensive midfield, which has been attributed to a good work ethic, professionalism and gifted technique. His calmness on the ball and appearance have led to comparisons to former Dutch legend and Chelsea player Ruud Gullit.[43]

Personal life

Aké was born in The Hague, South Holland.[44] His father is from the Ivory Coast.[45][46] Aké is a teetotaller.[47]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 26 December 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea 2012–13[48] Premier League 3010002[lower-alpha 1]00060
2013–14[49] Premier League 10000000—10
2014–15[50] Premier League 1010201[lower-alpha 2]0—50
2016–17[51] Premier League 203000——50
Total 7050203000170
Reading (loan) 2014–15[50] Championship 500000——50
Watford (loan) 2015–16[52] Premier League 2413010——281
AFC Bournemouth (loan) 2016–17[51] Premier League 1030020——123
AFC Bournemouth 2017–18[53] Premier League 3821010——402
2018–19[54] Premier League 3840010——394
2019–20[55] Premier League 2921000——302
Total 115112040——12111
Manchester City 2020–21[56] Premier League 6100102[lower-alpha 2]0—91
Career total 1571310080500018013
  1. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played 11 November 2020[57]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Netherlands 201750
201851
201931
202060
Total192
As of match played 4 September 2020. Netherlands score listed first, score column indicates score after each Aké goal.[57]
List of international goals scored by Nathan Aké
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 June 2018Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy Italy1–11–1Friendly
219 November 2019Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands Estonia2–05–0UEFA Euro 2020 qualification

Honours

Chelsea

Netherlands U17

Individual

References
  1. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  2. "Nathan Aké: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  3. "Nathan Aké: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  4. "Nathan Aké: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  5. Smith, Adam (6 August 2020). "Nathan Ake: How would Bournemouth defender improve Manchester City?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  6. Fifield, Dominic (22 December 2010). "Feyenoord lash Premier League after Chelsea land 15-year-old prospect". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  7. "Nathan Aké, oud Wilhelmus Jeugd speler, definitief naar Chelsea FC" (in Dutch). V.V. Wilhelmus. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  8. Phillips, Owen. "Norwich 0–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  9. "Middlesbrough 0–2 Chelsea" BBC Sport. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  10. "Chelsea struggle to finish off Rubin Kazan but reach semi-finals". The Guardian. 11 April 2013.
  11. "Europa League (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  12. "Archived copy". Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "New Deal for Aké". Chelsea F.C. 8 August 2013.
  14. "Didier Drogba scored his first goal since rejoining Chelsea as they recorded their biggest Champions League win with a dominant victory against Maribor at Stamford Bridge". BBC Sport. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  15. "Royals Sign Nathan Ake on Loan". Reading F.C. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  16. "Nathan Ake handed Reading debut". Sportsmole.co.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  17. "West Brom inflicted a third league defeat of the season on champions Chelsea in an eventful game at The Hawthorns". BBC Sport. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
  18. "Every Chelsea player to get a Premier League medal says Jose Mourinho". ESPN FC. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  19. "OFFICIAL: Aké Joins Hornets On Loan". Watford F.C. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  20. "New deal for Aké". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  21. "Championship Preston reached round three of the Capital One Cup as Marnick Vermijl's goal saw off Premier League Watford, who finished with 10 men". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  22. "Newcastle United vs. Watford 1 – 2 (9/19/15)". Soccerway. Perform Group. 19 September 2015.
  23. "Watford 3-0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
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  25. "Ake loaned to the Cherries". Chelsea F.C. 29 June 2016.
  26. "West Ham United 1–0 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 21 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  27. "Team news: Morecambe vs AFC Bournemouth – Ten changes from West Ham United defeat". AFC Bournemouth. 24 August 2016.
  28. "Stoke City 0–1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 19 November 2016.
  29. "Nathan Ake: Chelsea recall defender early from Bournemouth loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  30. Lythell, Phil (28 January 2017). "Willian leads impressive Chelsea to big FA Cup fourth round win vs. Brentford". ESPN FC. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  31. "Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 18 February 2017.
  32. "Chelsea 4–2 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 22 April 2017.
  33. "Nathan Ake: Bournemouth sign Chelsea defender for a club record fee". BBC Sport. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  34. "Chelsea are selling Nathan Ake to Bournemouth for £20m but are already thinking about buying him back". The Independent. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  35. Pollard, Rob. "Nathan Ake completes City switch". www.mancity.com.
  36. Brennan, Stuart (21 September 2020). "Man City player ratings vs Wolves". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  37. "Manchester City 2–5 Leicester City". BBC Sport. 27 September 2020.
  38. "Manchester City 3-0 Olympiakos". BBC Sport. 3 November 2020.
  39. "N. AKÉ". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  40. "Captain Aké learns from Chelsea stars". UEFA. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  41. "Chelsea star Ake could snub Netherlands for Ivory Coast". Goal.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  42. "Morocco 1 Netherlands 2: Promes and Depay shine as 10-man visitors hold on". beIN SPORTS. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
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  55. "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  56. "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
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