Nathan Aké

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nathan Aké
Nathan Ake 2013.jpg
Aké playing for Chelsea in 2013
Personal information
Full name Nathan Benjamin Aké[1]
Date of birth (1995-02-18) 18 February 1995 (age 26)[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 12 (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 22 (2)
Honours
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:42, 18 August 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 17 June 2021

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]

Club career[]

Chelsea[]

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.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

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 on 21 September, 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]

Aké scored his first Champions League goal on 15 September 2021 in a 6–3 win against RB Leipzig. He revealed afterwards that his father, who had been terminally ill, had died shortly after the goal.[39]

International career[]

Aké has represented the Netherlands at every youth level since his under-15 debut in 2009, making 54 appearances in total.[40] 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.[41]

Aké was also eligible to represent the Ivory Coast through his father Moise.[42]

Aké made his senior international debut in 2017 in a friendly against Morocco, who were beaten 1–2 by the Netherlands.[43]

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.[44]

Personal life[]

Aké was born in The Hague, South Holland.[45] His father is from the Ivory Coast.[46][47] Aké is a teetotaller.[48]

Career statistics[]

Club[]

As of match played 18 September 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chelsea 2012–13[49] Premier League 3 0 1 0 0 0 2[a] 0 0 0 6 0
2013–14[50] Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2014–15[51] Premier League 1 0 1 0 2 0 1[b] 0 — 5 0
2016–17[52] Premier League 2 0 3 0 0 0 — — 5 0
Total 7 0 5 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 17 0
Reading (loan) 2014–15[51] Championship 5 0 0 0 0 0 — — 5 0
Watford (loan) 2015–16[53] Premier League 24 1 3 0 1 0 — — 28 1
AFC Bournemouth (loan) 2016–17[52] Premier League 10 3 0 0 2 0 — — 12 3
AFC Bournemouth 2017–18[54] Premier League 38 2 1 0 1 0 — — 40 2
2018–19[55] Premier League 38 4 0 0 1 0 — — 39 4
2019–20[56] Premier League 29 2 1 0 0 0 — — 30 2
Total 115 11 2 0 4 0 — — 121 11
Manchester City 2020–21[57] Premier League 10 1 0 0 1 0 2[b] 0 — 13 1
2021–22[58] Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 1 1[c] 0 4 1
Total 12 1 0 0 1 0 3 1 1 0 17 2
Career total 163 13 10 0 8 0 6 1 1 0 188 14
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International[]

As of match played 17 June 2021[59]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Netherlands 2017 5 0
2018 5 1
2019 3 1
2020 6 0
2021 3 0
Total 22 2
As of match played 17 June 2021. Netherlands score listed first, score column indicates score after each Aké goal.[59]
List of international goals scored by Nathan Aké
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 June 2018 Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy  Italy 1–1 1–1 Friendly
2 19 November 2019 Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Estonia 2–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification

Honours[]

Chelsea

Manchester City

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. ^ Jump up to: a b "Nathan Aké: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Nathan Aké: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b 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.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b Barlow, Matt (18 May 2016). "Watford: END OF SEASON AWARDS: Gomes Named 2015/16 Player Of The Season". Watford F.C. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  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.[permanent dead link]
  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. ^ "Nathan Ake: Manchester City defender's father died minutes after first UEFA Champions League goal". BBC Sport. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  40. ^ "N. AKÉ". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  41. ^ "Captain Aké learns from Chelsea stars". UEFA. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  42. ^ "Chelsea star Ake could snub Netherlands for Ivory Coast". Goal.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  43. ^ "Morocco 1 Netherlands 2: Promes and Depay shine as 10-man visitors hold on". beIN SPORTS. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  44. ^ "'I follow my own path' - Ake reveals Drogba advice not the reason he signed for Chelsea". Goal.com. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  45. ^ "Nathan Aké". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  46. ^ "Nathan Aké on Watford, Mourinho and the Chelsea loanees' WhatsApp group". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  47. ^ "Near and Far: Nathan Ake". Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  48. ^ Fisher, Ben (30 July 2018). "Premier League 2018–19 preview No 2: Bournemouth". The Guardian.
  49. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  50. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  51. ^ Jump up to: a b "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  52. ^ Jump up to: a b "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  53. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  54. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  55. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  56. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  57. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  58. ^ "Games played by Nathan Aké in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  59. ^ Jump up to: a b c "N. Aké: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  60. ^ McNulty, Phil (1 March 2015). "Chelsea 2–0 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  61. ^ McNulty, Phil (15 May 2013). "Benfica 1–2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016.
  62. ^ McNulty, Phil (27 May 2017). "Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  63. ^ McNulty, Phil (25 April 2021). "Manchester City 1–0 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  64. ^ "Man. City 0–1 Chelsea: Updates". UEFA. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  65. ^ "Chelsea Annual Awards". chelseafc.com. Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  66. ^ "Ake Crowned Supporters' Player of the Season". AFC Bournemouth. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2020.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""