Latest news with #NathanAke
Evening Standard
4 days ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Man City rocked by Mateo Kovacic injury blow as major triple transfer lined up
The likes of Erling Haaland, Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb have all returned for City over recent weeks after injury, though John Stones has been out since February with a thigh problem and it remains to be seen if he can play a part at the Club World Cup, having now joined up with the England squad to continue his rehabilitation but not considered fit enough to play against either Andorra or Senegal.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
The key signs that point to uncertainty in Pep Guardiola's mind after Man City were served shock reality check at Southampton, writes JACK GAUGHAN
Usually by now it's all settled with a similar pattern. Usually everybody at Manchester City knows where they stand and routines happen that you could set your watch to. Vincent Kompany making coaches roll their eyes by miraculously recovering from constant injuries to feature in every game before trophy lifts; previously out-of-favour Nathan Ake becoming indispensable at full back; one big-name midfielder finding himself watching from the bench during the run-in.
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has selection headache before FA Cup final after tinkering falls flat
Usually by now it's all settled with a similar pattern. Usually everybody at Manchester City knows where they stand and routines happen that you could set your watch to. Vincent Kompany making coaches roll their eyes by miraculously recovering from constant injuries to feature in every game before trophy lifts; previously out-of-favour Nathan Ake becoming indispensable at full back; one big-name midfielder finding himself watching from the bench during the run-in. Not now, not this year, and Pep Guardiola bringing back not one but three players at Southampton is evidence of that. With Erling Haaland 's hamstring, Manuel Akanji's adductor and Phil Foden 's form, the trio hadn't started a collective 27 matches before being thrown in on the south coast. Did it speak to City's confidence before going to St Mary's, seemingly destined to all but secure Champions League qualification that now remains in their hands but in the balance, or is Guardiola unsure of his team ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final? Possibly both and the latter is not normal in the final weeks of a City campaign. Yet then this has been no ordinary campaign, one set to go down to the wire. The changes may not have given Guardiola definitive answers either. Haaland's reintroduction took adjusting to, Akanji coming in shifted Gvardiol back out to left back, which loses the thrust of Nico O'Reilly. Gvardiol and Ruben Dias – the villain of the piece after criticising Southampton's tactical outlook – had been talking up their partnership in recent weeks but that has now been broken up. Foden, meanwhile, just looks bereft of confidence and his throwing of arms when Haaland failed to connect with an inviting cross painted the picture of a man who needs a break. Rico Lewis shone in central midfield during the semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest yet hasn't returned to that spot. Some (not all) would argue they missed the drive of Matheus Nunes from right back. Jeremy Doku's reward for encouraging performances was a place among the substitutes, while Omar Marmoush didn't receive the call until the 84th minute – despite regularly appearing City's most obvious goal threat. Guardiola will need to find a way of the Egyptian flourishing alongside Haaland because both are too good to merely observe. In the short term though, they need this piece of silverware. It'd be churlish to say that saves City's season, because there is no divine right to win trophies every year, but beating Crystal Palace and then finishing in the top five would further put into perspective the standards they've set for themselves. This could be as bad as it gets and yet plenty of those around them would offer up a leg for it. That is how Guardiola has redefined expectations. 'The way we play is back where we used to be, or it's getting there,' Akanji said. 'So I'm really positive about the next games. I've been playing with a lot of pain throughout the season. 'At one point it was too much for my body. It was when I did the MRI and the doctor was stunned and said I needed surgery… I knew then it was too much.' Akanji let out a gentle sigh when he mentioned the Club World Cup – City's 'season' could continue until mid-July – and there is time for tinkering then. Perhaps it'll be the arena where the manager attempts the latest change in style. For now, Guardiola may be best doing what he has always done: sticking with the nucleus of a starting XI that has garnered results that got them into a position where victory down at Southampton should have effectively sorted out Europe. Just to push them over the line.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘I'll never get over these pics', joke fans as Kevin Hart compared to ‘armrest' after posing with Premier League giants
COMEDIAN Kevin Hart was compared to an 'armrest' after posing with two Premier League giants. The pint-sized funnyman, who stands at 5ft 4in, is currently on a tour of the UK performing his new show 'Acting My Age'. 4 Hart, a Hollywood superstar with a net worth of £340million after starring in box office hits like Jumanji, Central Intelligence and Ride Along, will play two sold-out shows at London's Royal Albert Hall this weekend. But earlier in the week, he performed at the AO Arena in Manchester to another bumper audience. And among the fans in attendance were Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Man City star Nathan Ake. After the gig, the Netherlands duo met Hart before posing for pictures. But the comic had the last laugh with a hilarious crop which cut the heads off Van Dijk, who is 6ft 4in tall, and Ake, who stands at 5ft 10in. Hart told his 177m Instagram followers: 'I got to meet two amazing guys last night… shout out to Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake. 'Congrats on all of your success fellas, keep going. Looking forward to what you are going to do next! Dinner on me when the World Cup hits the States. 'Sorry about your heads in the picture fellas but rules are rules… I have to look cool at all times.' Luckily for Hart, Van Dijk saw the funny side as the newly-crowned Premier League title winner responded with a laughing face and heart emoji. England star Kyle Walker, on loan at AC Milan from Man City, also replied with a series of laugh emojis. Virgil van Dijk 'destroys' Michael Owen with brutal 13-word put-down on live TV after Liverpool beat Everton 4 4 While Ake said: 'Thank you for a great show man, it was nice to meet you and see you soon in the States.' Fans were also left in stitches with the funny snap. One said: 'I'll never get over these pics.' Another declared: 'I would do the same if someone used me as an armrest.' One noted: 'Bro had to get a camera man who was his height.' Another added: 'They knew the rules when they walked into shot.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester City cannot afford to look past Southampton this weekend
After a nine-match unbeaten run, Manchester City now have Champions League qualification in their hands. They also have the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on the horizon to look forward to. There is also the FIFA Club World Cup in June for Pep Guardiola's side to plan and prepare for. But up next for Manchester City is a Premier League fixture against Southampton at the St. Mary's Stadium. That is all that matters for the world champions, despite everything else that looms on the horizon. Manchester City must beat Southampton to keep their momentum going. As mentioned above, Pep Guardiola's side enters Saturday's match off the back of a nine-game unbeaten run. Although they haven't played their typical free-flowing football, Pep Guardiola's side has controlled games and played in the stable manner that is associated with a Pep Guardiola team. This style of play has helped them turn their season around, so to speak. Now they'll carry this momentum into Saturday's clash with Southampton, and they must keep it going to maintain control of their Champions League destiny for next season. Advertisement To say Southampton have struggled this season would be an understatement. They are already relegated, and this season has been a mighty struggle for them. A look at the Premier League table highlights how poor they've been this season. After 35 games, the Saints have only picked up 11 points. They have only won 2 games this season. But they'll be determined to pick up a scalp before returning to the Championship. On paper, Saturday's match appears to be a mismatch. But no game is a formality, and Manchester City must be at their best on Saturday to pick up a precious three points. Southampton are next up for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side could pay if they look past Southampton. With so much to look forward to, Manchester City could look past this weekend's match at St. Mary's. But they cannot afford to. A draw or defeat to Southampton could be a blow to City's Champions League hopes. So they must go to St. Mary's win, and leave. That way, they can enter the FA Cup final with momentum and confidence. Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb have returned to training ahead of this weekend's match. So the good news continues to come for Manchester City. If they can pick up a victory against Southampton they'll pick up a massive three points and momentum will continue. But to do that Pep Guardiola's side cannot overlook Southampton. It's as simple as that despite Southampton's lowly league position and poor form throughout the 24/25 season.
