Manchester City defender is preparing for frank discussions with Pep Guardiola over his future, with the player increasingly unsettled by his reduced game time as the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws nearer.
Nathan Ake’s future at Manchester City is not certain despite that he returned to Premier League starting line-up at the end of October, partnering Ruben Dias in the 2–0 win over Everton.
It was his first league start in half a year, a reminder of how frequently injuries and selection choices have limited his involvement across recent months.
The 30-year-old has been a key member of City’s squad since arriving from Bournemouth in 2020.
While not always the first name on Guardiola’s teamsheet, his versatility and reliability have proved invaluable during a period in which City captured four consecutive Premier League titles from 2021 to 2024.
Yet despite that success, Ake has long found himself competing for minutes in a defence packed with elite options, and doubts over his long-term role have started to sharpen.
His contract runs until 2027, but City are entering a period of recalibration both on and off the pitch.
The club’s new sporting director, Hugo Viana, took office in the summer and immediately began reshaping the structure around Guardiola.
His arrival coincided with an overhaul of both the playing squad and backroom staff after a disappointing 2024–25 season by the club’s own high standards.
One of Viana’s first major acts was guiding the club through a transformative summer window.
Several senior figures departed, while seven new arrivals were added in an attempt to refresh the squad and maintain City’s competitive edge.
Notably, Bernardo Silva and John Stones were permitted to continue into the final stages of their current deals, signalling potential future changes within the leadership core.
City have since clawed their way back into strong domestic form, sitting second in the Premier League and narrowing the gap to leaders Arsenal to four points.
Their resurgence—11 wins from 14 matches in all competitions since September—has steadied nerves, but it has also intensified competition for places.
With the World Cup in 2026 rapidly approaching, Guardiola’s players know that every appearance and performance carries added weight.
Ake is among those feeling that pressure most keenly. His lack of starts throughout 2025 has already drawn the attention of Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman.
The manager has made it clear that the defender cannot expect to make the World Cup squad unless he becomes a regular at club level again. That blunt reality is forcing Ake to consider his options as January nears.
Mail Sport reporter Jack Gaughan says Ake is “frustrated” by featuring in just one Premier League starting line-up for City this season.
Despite being highly regarded internally, he has slipped behind other defensive choices, leaving him to contemplate a potentially career-defining decision.
Ake’s standing within the squad has always been one of dependability: a defender trusted to step in across multiple positions, often stabilising the team during injury crises or tactical reshuffles.
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But after suffering various fitness setbacks last season, his ability to regain momentum has been hampered.
Guardiola has preferred more settled defensive combinations this campaign, leaving Ake without the consistent rhythm he needs ahead of next summer’s international commitments.
At 30, the next World Cup may well be his final opportunity to appear on the biggest stage, a factor heightening the urgency of his situation.
While he remains happy at City in many respects, the defender is deeply aware that international selection hinges on regular playing time — something he has been unable to secure.
Meanwhile, despite the uncertainty about Nathan Ake’s future at Manchester City, his relationship with Guardiola remains strong, and that mutual respect could shape how any decision is handled.
