Reduced role 'difficult to deal with at times' - Ake
[Getty Images] Nathan Ake has said he has found a reduced playing role at Manchester City this season "difficult to deal with at times". The Netherlands defender, 31, had an injury-affected 2024-25 and has started only four Premier League matches for City this term. He has made a further 10 league appearances off the bench and started every match of City's Carabao Cup success, including the final at Wembley against Arsenal on 22 March.
Ake told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: "To be honest, it is difficult to deal with at times, especially because I was in the starting line-up more in recent years than this season. "I also spoke to the manager [Pep Guardiola] about it. He also indicated that things are a bit different this year.
"Mentally, it demands a bit more at times. You always have to be ready when you suddenly have to play, like [in the cup final]. Then people also expect you to be at your best.
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