The 25-year-old says the quality of his new team-mates was evident in his first week of training and it is something he feels will benefit his game.
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A summer capture from Bournemouth, Ake admits it will take time to adapt to his new surroundings and the expectations of a club competing for multiple honours, but is aiming to adjust as quickly as possible.
“It is obviously a much bigger club and expectations and all those kind of things will be different over here, but I just need to get used to that quickly,” he said.
“When you are on the streets you get recognised more, but you just have to get on with that and adapt to the team quickly.
“You see that the tempo is very high and there are a lot of quality players and in the first few weeks I’ve got to try and adapt to that,” he added.
“[I’ve got to] try and learn and get better as a player and I’m sure being around these kind of players can do that.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic meaning the previous campaign finished later than expected, it has been an usual pre-season for footballers.
However, Ake took steps to ensure he arrived at his new club in the best shape possible, employing a fitness coach, whilst he also feels the two UEFA Nations League games he played in for the Netherlands will prove beneficial as he bids to be ready for the Premier League season.
“It is different than normal pre-seasons but I just have to adapt to that,” he added.
“Before the national team I had been with the fitness coach to keep the fitness up.
“Then four days of normal training with the national team and then a game two days later and then two days later, so it was quite tough and different but I’ve just got to get used to that.
“I’m trying to get the fitness back. It is good that I’ve got two games under my belt now already, so hopefully I can just keep it up.”
Ake‘s period of transition has been eased by his team-mates, who he says have been extremely welcoming.
He is particularly appreciative of Kevin De Bruyne‘s efforts, with the midfielder reaching out to his former Chelsea colleague prior to his arrival in Manchester.
“I was very happy with that,” said our new signing.
“I know him from a little bit before but he spoke to me about the nice places to live and stuff like that and it just helps settle me quicker.
“I think it is also good that he speaks Dutch so it is easier for me. It’s very nice of him, for sure.”
