Nathan Ake hails the role of Pep Guardiola’s new boys in keeping the team hungry for more trophies as Manchester City face their bogey team Brentford in the Premier League on Monday

Manchester City face their bogey team on Monday with Nathan Ake hailing the role of Pep Guardiola‘s new boys in keeping the team hungry for more trophies.

City won a historic Treble last season but there hasn’t been much of a let-off as they chase a record fourth consecutive league championship.

Ake points out that summer buys Jeremey Doku, Josep Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes haven’t yet won silverware at The Etihad which peaks their motivation.

And revenge will be on the minds of every Pep Guardiola player who were surprisingly beaten twice by Thomas Frank‘s Brentford last season when they steamrollered all their other opponents.

‘Our desire to win never stops. Those moments where we lifted five trophies in 2023 are special. Once you do it, you want to do it again,’ said the Dutch defender.

Nathan Ake hailed the role of the new boys in keeping the team hungry for more trophies

‘We lost a few players in the summer but the new lads that have come in have added to that hunger. They are desperate to achieve their own success with us and that contributes to us being a winning side.

‘Brentford are a top side who are organised, aggressive and look to win their duels. We know it’s going to be a really difficult game as it always is against them and we need to be ready.

‘We’re in a good run of form and feeling good at the moment so we need to keep that momentum and just focus on ourselves and what we can do.’

Erling Haaland is set for his first City start since recovering from a foot injury. In the opposite corner, Brentford recently welcomed back their star striker Ivan Toney after his gambling ban.

‘Having a top striker and someone who puts the ball in the net can be the difference,’ acknowledged Ake. ‘Ivan Toney is a really important player for Brentford and we are so lucky to have Erling.

‘Erling has already proved that he is one of the best strikers in the world and it has been great to have him back with us in training and to see him get back on the pitch against Burnley on Wednesday.

‘I know it’s been frustrating for him, but he is back and we’re really excited to have him with us to help the team.’

Erling Haaland is set for his first City start since recovering from a foot injury. In the opposite corner, Brentford recently welcomed back their star striker Ivan Toney after his gambling ban