Micah Richards has told Nathan Ake how much of an impressive season he has had for Manchester City this term.
The defender recently won his third Premier League title with the Citizens, which he has now won every year since his £41m arrival from Bournemouth back in 2020.
Following City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, which led to Pep Guardiola’s side lifting the league trophy, the 28-year-old had the pleasure of hearing some heavy praise put his way by one pundit who knows a thing or two about the club.
Richards lauds Ake
In a recent edition of 5 Live Sport’s The Monday Night Club podcast, Richards said this to Ake when he came on the show as a guest.
He said: “I know it’s difficult being in a big squad and then having to be ready when called upon but you’ve been absolutely immense this season.”
This season has seen the Netherlands international feature in 25 league games, playing as a centre-back and left-back on occasions, showing the versatility he offers the team.
To highlight how impressive the former Bournemouth defender has been for City in the league this season, particularly from a defensive point of view, Ake has the second-highest total of clearances made in the squad (43) and has a higher percentage of aerial duels won (62.5%) than the likes of Ruben Dias (61.1%), Aymeric Laporte (57.5%) and Manuel Akanji (40.4%).
In addition to that, Guardiola himself said on Sunday that the Dutchman has been “fundamental” to City’s run of form in recent weeks and months.
With all of that in mind, it’s easy to see why Richards was quick to praise Ake for his efforts at the back in this campaign and why he has been nominated for the club’s Player of the Year Award alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
