Kevin Phillips believes Nathan Ake could be a great addition at West Ham United to offset the absence of key defenders this season.
Nathan Ake was primed for big things when Manchester City decided to spend a sizable sum to sign the Dutchman from Bournemouth in 2020. The defender was expected to play regularly under Pep Guardiola, considering the money spent to sign hum. However, that has hardly been the case.
Ake has been a backup option at Manchester City, with John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias ahead of him in the pecking order, and playing time has been hard to come by at the Etihad. The centre-back has played just over 750 minutes across all competitions, featuring in just ten games this term, which will be a source of concern for him.
Newcastle United were recently linked with a move, and he is certainly guaranteed a starting spot at St. James’ Park. Ake would want to play more, considering he will want to be selected for the Netherlands’ 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. With competition for places in the Dutch national side being intense, Ake might find himself out of favour if he continues to be on the bench at Manchester City.
Recently West Ham United have been credited with an interest, as David Moyes looks for an external solution to offset his team’s injury crisis. Kurt Zouma recently joined Angelo Ogbonna and Ben Johnson in the treatment room, and the Hammers have a real shortage at the back.
With Ogbonna expected to miss the rest of the season, Moyes has plans to sign a new centre-back. However, Manchester City should demand a decent fee considering his contract will run out in 2025. Reports have suggested that the Hammers are set to make an approach over a loan move with an obligation to buy clause.
Kevin Phillips has certainly backed such a move, suggesting Ake would be a great addition to Moyes’ squad. He told Football Insider that West Ham should look to sign the Manchester defender as early as possible.
Phillips said, “That’s a no-brainer for West Ham. He’s not getting a huge amount of game time at Man City. He’s the type of player who needs to be playing regularly. Ake is a brilliant defender. With Zouma and Ogbonna out injured, he would be a really good addition to their squad. He would give them some valuable experience as well, having played in Europe and won the title with Man City.”
Whether Ake joins West Ham United permanently or on loan remains to be seen. However, with their injury crisis deepening with every passing week, the Hammers must sign a centre-back, with the Manchester City defender a viable target.
