Nathan Aké Scout Report
In the 2023-2024 season, Manchester City's defensive stalwart, Nathan Aké plied his trade with consistent prowess and finesse. Like a chameleon, his versatility allows him to serve as both a Center Back and Left Back, yet irrespective of the position, his style of play is marked by an extraordinary composure on the ball. His pass accuracy, standing at a towering 90.67%, reinforces his brilliance in recycling the ball to build up an attack from the back.
Where Aké truly shines is in the arena of chance creation. With a player stat putting him in the top four percent of Premier League defenders, there are few who can match his ability to initiate scoring opportunities from a defensive role. Though not a typical part of a center back's job description, his assist rate per 90 minutes is something most midfielders would envy, and he consistently threatens the opposition's goal, landing in the top 25% of his peers in this regard.
Yet, for all his creative prowess, it’s his duel win rate that solidifies his standing as a high caliber defender. His unyielding dominance in head-to-head battles, a stat eclipsing almost 87% of his league counterparts, is a testament to his defensive acumen.
Of course, every player has areas for growth. In Aké's case, his interceptive skills leave room for improvement, as he ranks in the lower tiers of Premier League defenders. His propensity to commit fouls is another area of concern, a trait that marred his otherwise sterling performances, resulting in an elevated yellow card count.
However, the strengths vastly outweigh the weaknesses in Aké's scout report. The Dutch maestro has managed to redefine the Center Back role with progressive carrying and potent chance creation, on top of his reliable defensive performance. In summary, a great contributor in both defensive steadiness and offensive potency.