Gael Clichy believes a Manchester City unsung hero is actually among the top in the world in his position.
Manchester City are undoubtedly the best club not just in England or Europe but on the whole planet.
Pep Guardiola has built a sensational team over the last eight years brimming with incredible talent like Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne.
But, what is often more impressive, is the way the Blues boss has developed players who weren’t already obvious generational talents.
Perhaps the biggest example is defender Nathan Ake, who was signed for £41m from Bournemouth in 2020.
The Dutchman was a very good player, of course, but he has developed his game considerably under Guardiola’s management.
So much so that former City defender Gael Clichy considers him one of, if not the, best left-back in the game.
Gael Clichy praises Nathan Ake
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Clichy was asked by Jamie Carragher who the best left-back in the world right now is.
The Frenchman replied: “If we count, I don’t know it’s very difficult if we count Ake as being a left-back because that’s the positioning he’s playing.
“You can’t really argue that he’s not up there. I really like Cancelo before he left for the argument they had. I think at that moment, Cancelo is the best in the position.”
Sensational management
It just goes to show how much of a genius Guardiola is.
Ake was already a quality Premier League player but the jump he has made in less than four years is remarkable.
Be it at left-back or centre-back, Ake is a reliable and robust defender who helps keep City resolute while also providing a composed presence on the ball.
The 29-year-old has also been chipping in with crucial goals, scoring winners against Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool over the last two seasons.
Guardiola has enjoyed similar success with Manuel Akanji and it goes to show that City don’t necessarily need to sign the most highly-rated stars for ridiculous sums but can instead find good players and turn them into world-beaters.
