Guardiola admits he does not know if Man City star will stay at the club this summer

Squad depth is important but having eight players for two positions is unsustainable, especially given Guardiola’s preference for smaller squads. As such, multiple centre-back departures can be expected from the Etihad this summer. Stones’ exit has already been announced and, having suffered similar injury struggles, Ake may well follow suit.

The Dutch defender has made just five league starts this season, after also failing to crack double figures last term. Nevertheless, City’s boss maintains utmost admiration for him.

Guardiola insisted: “Listen, Nathan is maybe sometimes not reliable in physicality. But there are few players more reliable when they play than him.

“With the job he has to do, in terms of what he has to do with the ball and without the ball, in terms of focus, Nathan is one of the best I’ve ever seen. He’s just unbelievable.

“The problem is sometimes, when it’s every three days, three days, three days, he struggles. But look at the final of the Carabao Cup or the semi-finals, or the last game, for example, against Brentford.

“Apart from that, He’s one of the most incredible teammates, for a manager, for his teammates, like ever. Incredible signing from Bournemouth, incredible signing for this tenure.

“He played the final Champions League in Istanbul, so that means how reliable he is. Top guy and top player.”

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