Nathan Ake issues verdict on individual player walk-outs introduced in the Premier League | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Nathan Ake has decided whether he would like to see the FIFA Club World Cup’s pre-game individual player walk-outs brought into the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players are fresh off the back of their first taste of the new-look tournament this summer, having dismissed of Wydad AC on matchday one of their group stage.

The Moroccan side put up a notably brave and strong performance in the first-half, but ultimately found themselves two goals behind come the half-time interval courtesy of Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku for the former Premier League champions.

Not only was it the first opportunity to experience the US climate during the height of summer, but also the overall rebrand of the tournament, including a new walk-out for players of both clubs.

As opposed to two teams walking through the tunnel in single file behind the team of match officials, as is the case throughout the game, players are introduced by the stadium announcer individually and making their way through the tunnel and onto the pitch on their own.

Speaking to reporters, Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake – who also got his first experience of the individual pre-game player walk-outs at the Club World Cup – has admitted whether he would like to see such an introduction brought into the Premier League.

“I’m not sure,” said Ake. He continued, “To be honest, the Premier League, keep it how it is and what we do now.

“I think, keep it as it is.”

Comments from the Netherlands international seemingly go against a particular feeling from within the Chelsea camp, as Enzo Maresca’s side also compete at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.

Former Manchester City Academy starlet and now Stamford Bridge midfielder Romeo Lavia said he would like to see the unique FIFA player walk-out initiative adopted in the Premier League, suggesting that they were “something special.”

Manchester City will return to action in the competition on Sunday night when they take on Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, before closing out the group against Juventus.