Nathan Ake
Manchester City have embarked on a promising journey in the United States as they participate in the Club World Cup, providing a significant opportunity for their recent signings to integrate into the team. Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki, who joined the club just before the tournament, are using this time to bond with their new teammates. The Club World Cup serves as an ideal platform for these players to familiarize themselves with Pep Guardiola’s system and to help rejuvenate the squad after a challenging previous season.
Nathan Ake said: “It’s helpful for the new players and new staff to be together and every trip away, you get to know each other much better than being in Manchester. That can help everyone settle in very quickly. I think that mindset can help to bring the energy levels up.”
Ake continued: “Last season was very tough. Then I got injured again and mentally it can be tough, it’s never easy, but luckily that’s done now and hopefully now I can stay fit and keep performing. But the manager has said that this is part of the new season. We want it to perform, we have new players, new staff and we are working hard. We are already looking forward to next season, we take this tournament as part of the new season and try to improve.”
Ake added: “I think Tijjani can be very important. I know him really well. I think from the first week in training, you could see that he fits in really well and you can see the quality he has. He can play in different positions, he can get into the box, he can keep the ball going and moving forward.”
Manchester City’s 27-man squad has been in the USA for a week, kicking off their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory against Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia. Reijnders and Cherki made their debuts, showcasing their potential to make a significant impact. The tournament is not only a chance for the new signings to gel with the team but also an opportunity for the club to move past last season’s setbacks, which saw them knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid and defeated in the FA Cup final by Crystal Palace.
Under Guardiola’s leadership, the Club World Cup is viewed as the commencement of a new season rather than an extension of the last. This fresh perspective is embraced by the squad, which is eager to improve and perform better. Ake, who has had his share of injury woes, expressed optimism about staying fit and contributing to the team’s success. His familiarity with Reijnders from their time with the Netherlands national team adds another layer of confidence in the new signing’s ability to adapt and excel.
Fans can follow Manchester City’s journey in the Club World Cup live on DAZN, where 32 of the world’s top club teams, including Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG, and Bayern Munich, compete across 63 matches from June 14 to July 13.
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