Alan Shearer told Premier League Productions (15/08/21 at 7:00 pm) that Tottenham-linked Nathan Ake ‘doesn’t fill me with great confidence’.
Pep Guardiola handed the 26-year-old a start during Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
There have been numerous stories flying about Harry Kane’s future at Spurs and one suggestion that has been put forward is Ake being used as part of a deal involving the Englishman moving to the Etihad, as reported by the Daily Star.
But Shearer wasn’t impressed by what he saw from the Dutchman in North London over the weekend.
“I think it would have given him (Son) and Tottenham great confidence when they looked at that backline,” said Shearer. “That was a gamble from Pep to leave Laporte out. Stones out. Then play Ake and Mendy.
“Certainly with those two, I think you are giving an opportunity because they are going to give you chances down that side and that’s where the goal came from.
“I am not saying it in hindsight because I did say it before the game that Ake doesn’t fill me with great confidence.
“I thought it was a lot of money to pay for him, so it was a gamble that backfired from Pep by playing those two.”
Tottenham have already brought in a centre-back in Cristian Romero, so if those from the Etihad knock on their doors to try and use any defenders in any deal involving Kane then it should be knocked back.
This time last summer, free-spending Man City were splashing £40 million (BBC Sport) on Ake’s services after he was relegated with Bournemouth.
And in a squad that costs nearly £1bn, it’s no surprise that he has struggled to make his mark since that move.
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