Manchester City signing Nathan Ake is excited to be playing for manager Pep Guardiola.
Ake was on holiday in France when the call came from City. Guardiola had spoken to Dutch coach Ronald Koeman about the defender. And the message back from the man who has just been made coach of Barcelona was that Ake was the real deal.
Ake told the Mirror: “I had to pinch myself in the arm. I was thinking, 'Is this real?'.
“When I heard they wanted me to come to Manchester I was bowled over. Manchester City are one of the best clubs in the world and Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world.
“I had a really good talk with Guardiola and there was an instant connection. The way City play really suits me. I have played against them so many times and I know how hard it is to face them."
As soon as Ake signed his contract he began working with his new conditioning specialists at the Etihad.
He added: “I have been working with a physical coach for ages at City.
“I have been told to focus on several positions at the back, but that is fine with me.
“I am going for it. I have grown up in the Premier League in a brilliant way."
