With the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> just around the corner, many players are considering potential moves to avoid jeopardizing their chances of being selected. Netherlands defender Nathan Ake may fall into that category due to his limited role at Manchester City, amid rumors connecting him with Barcelona and AC Milan.



“Every player wants to play as much as possible while also appreciating that the team is doing really well and the players in my position are doing really well,” Ake said in an interview with the Manchester Evening News. “So I have to keep going and wait for chances… The only thing I can say is I keep fighting every time.”



Ake has started only six matches this season for the Citizens, most of them — three — coming in the EFL Cup, with the others split between the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Overall, the defender has appeared in 16 matches during the 2025–26 campaign, averaging 46 minutes per game.



Head coach Pep Guardiola has given greater responsibility this season to Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Nico O’Reilly at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/manchester-city/">Manchester City</a>, which has limited the Dutch defender’s opportunities for regular playing time.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20260106_WST_614221_Guardiola-1_58a14e2e.webp&amp;width=1920&amp;height=1080" alt="Manchester City&apos;s Pep Guardiola looks on" class="wp-image-610706"></figure><figcaption>Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City during a Premier League match.</figcaption></figure>



“You want to play every game. I’m not going to say I should play every game because Ruben, Josko, Nico, and the whole defense have been doing fantastic, but every player wants minutes,” Ake added. “So the only thing I can do is fight and try to get opportunities, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”


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<h2>Ake discusses his chances with the Netherlands </h2>



Part of Nathan Ake’s concern about his limited role at Manchester City is tied to his place with the Netherlands national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in North America.



In that regard, the defender acknowledged that he has spoken with head coach Ronald Koeman and that his club situation was part of the discussion. “He has told me a few times that he wants me to play more, and sometimes it’s difficult to call me up if I don’t play a lot — that’s obvious,” Ake said.



That reality has been reflected in Koeman’s recent decisions. While Ake played a prominent role at Manchester City, he remained an automatic selection for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/netherlands/">Netherlands</a>, starting every match at UEFA Euro 2024 and also featuring at the start of the UEFA Nations League, until an injury sidelined him.



However, things have changed significantly this year. During World Cup qualifiers, Ake was no longer a regular fixture, appearing in only half of the Netherlands’ matches. He remained on the bench in four of the eight games and started just three. It is therefore reasonable to believe that if the current situation continues through the rest of the season, Nathan Ake’s place at the World Cup will not be guaranteed.



<h2>Possible departure from Manchester City</h2>



Given that outlook, it would not be surprising if Nathan Ake considers a move away from Manchester City during the January transfer window in search of more consistent playing time. In recent weeks, reports have linked him to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/barcelona">Barcelona</a>.



The Spanish club is actively seeking a center back, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/coach-hansi-flick-urges-barcelona-chiefs-to-act-in-january-transfer-window-were-not-ready/">as head coach Hansi Flick acknowledged</a>, in an effort to strengthen that area and address issues created by the departure of Iñigo Martinez last summer. Ake is reportedly among the players being considered, alongside names such as Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan De Vrij, Nicolas Otamendi, and Marc Guehi.



In recent days, a potential move to Serie A has also gained traction. “<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/ac-milan/">AC Milan</a> are monitoring the situation of Netherlands defender Nathan Ake, 30, at Manchester City as they ponder several options,” BBC Sport reported, citing information from Corriere dello Sport.

Netherlands role a priority ahead of 2026 World Cup, admits Man City’s Ake amid Barcelona, Milan rumors

Netherlands role a priority ahead of 2026 World Cup, admits Man City’s Ake amid Barcelona, Milan rumors - World Soccer Talk

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Manchester City beat <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> at home on Friday to advance in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fa-cup-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FA Cup</a>. A lone goal by Nathan Ake gave the edge to the hosts on the night. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">City</a> will now play in the round of 16 of the competition and try to win their first FA Cup since 2019.



Despite being a fourth round cup game, Friday’s fixture was one of the more anticipated matchups of this season. Arsenal and City have undoubtedly been the top two teams in England during the current campaign. Entering the game, they have combined to lose just seven of their 57 games in all competitions. 



<h5>Even start to the match</h5>



As expected, the game started evenly. The hosts had more of possession inside the opening 30 minutes, as one would expect with Manchester City. Still, Arsenal had the two best scoring chances. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard both had quality shots saved by City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega in the opening stages of the game.



Perhaps the most noteworthy part of a goalless first half was an injury. Center back John Stones was forced off after seemingly pulling his hamstring very late in the period. Aymeric Laporte was introduced to the match only moments before the halftime break.



<h2>City finds a way against Arsenal in second half of FA Cup tie</h2>



Much like City’s recent game with Tottenham Hotspur, the reigning <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> champions upped their intensity in the second half. The breakthrough came in the 64th minute of the match. Julian Alvarez hit the base of the post from long range. The ball then fell to Jack Grealish inside the box. Grealish found Nathan Ake who neatly passed the ball into the bottom corner.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">NATHAN AKE GIVES MAN CITY A 1-0 LEAD AGAINST ARSENAL! <a href="https://t.co/XuuuLIBftt">pic.twitter.com/XuuuLIBftt</a>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1619085723251908621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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The goal appeared to wake Arsenal back up though. Eddie Nketiah nearly leveled the scoreline just a few minutes later. The striker had a fantastic chance to score just a yard or two away from goal, but he couldn’t get good contact on the ball.



Nevertheless, the league leaders could not break down a stingy City defense. Arsenal’s only two shots on target came in the opening period. The Gunners will next face Everton in league play, while City are set to face Spurs yet again.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Focus Images

Manchester City edged Arsenal 1-0 in an FA Cup fourth round matchup on Friday. The teams face each other two more times this season.

Manchester City edge Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round

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Netherlands role a priority ahead of 2026 World Cup, admits Man City’s Ake amid Barcelona, Milan rumors

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Manchester City edge Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round