Hot Streak: Is in-form Ake proving he warrants long-term Chelsea place?
On Tuesday night, Leicester’s away days woes continued. The Foxes now have the worst away record of any Premier League champion at this stage of a title defence, having only managed one point from their eight away league matches this season. Bournemouth were the latest side to stick the knife in as they bounced back from the weekend 3-2 loss at Burnley to secure a 1-0 victory to lift them into the top half of the table and a fourth clean sheet from eight outings at the Vitality Stadium this season. Eddie Howe’s side struggled on home soil in England’s top tier last term, but with 16 points to their name in front of their fans, Bournemouth have one of the best home records in the Premier League this time around.
Adopting a recruitment plan of bringing in primarily young players over the summer was a risky approach for the Cherries, but it’s evidently having a positive effect on the team. One of those signed over the summer - abeit on loan - to impress has been Nathan Ake. His move to Bournemouth promised regular game time in a developing side under one of England’s most promising managers, but Howe’s settled defence meant the 21-year-old initially struggled to force his way into the starting XI.
Indeed, before November, Ake’s only Premier League action were two sub appearances late on against West Ham and Crystal Palace, totalling 13 minutes. Ultimately, it took a suspension to Adam Smith for the young defender to be drafted into the starting XI and he hasn’t looked back. Peripheral players at times need a stroke of luck to be handed the opportunity to impress and Ake has grabbed that chance with both hands. His first league start of the season came in the 1-0 win at Stoke City last month - a game he scored the only goal and was named WhoScored man of the match in. The defender has since started Bournemouth’s last four Premier League games following his first league start of the campaign at the Bet365 Stadium.
Howe’s decision to continue with Ake has been rewarded also, with the defender’s WhoScored rating from starts only (7.51) better than any Bournemouth player to feature from the off more than once in England’s top tier this term. That rating as a starter is also better than any Premier League player aged 21 and under to start more than one game this campaign with Ake clearly continuing his good from from last season. During his time at Watford, the on-loan defender gained a respectable WhoScored rating of 7.15, the second best of all players for the Hornets and now that he’s had his chance to impress, he’s proving just how capable a defender he is.
When factoring in his two appearances off the bench, Ake’s average of 2.1 tackles per game is second only to Harry Arter (2.5) of all Bournemouth players. Considering the team as a whole are averaging 15.8 tackles per game, the second fewest, Howe needs players who are willing to roll up their sleeves and perform the physical responsibilities within the side, which Ake is evidently doing. The proactive side to his game has also been exhibited with 6.9 clearances per match second of all Bournemouth players this season. Given his versatility, with the Dutchman able to play centre-back and left-back, Ake is showing the sort of form that could earn him a place in the current Chelsea setup.
Blues boss Antonio Conte has previous with bringing players from the outside back in, with Victor Moses now a key man following the Italian’s appointment and decision to swap to a three-man defence. With Gary Cahill now 30 and his form faltering somewhat, his spot on the left side of the back three is certainly up for grabs. Of course, Ake would face competition from the returning Kurt Zouma and fellow loanee Andreas Christensen, who is impressing with Borussia Monchengladbach, but Ake’s top-flight experience would appeal to Conte.
With the Chelsea manager favouring an approach that sees his side play out from the back, the Bournemouth man fits the bill with his pass success rate (85.8%) the third best for the Cherries. Furthermore, of the 43.4 passes per start Ake is averaging this term, 19.6 are going forward and this highlights a need to get the ball forward from defence to help attack opponents. Comparatively, of all Chelsea players, Azpilicueta tops the forward passes per start (27.5) metric, with Cahill (20.4) second. In a Chelsea side that averages more possession (53.8%) than Bournemouth (51.6%), it’s hardly a surprise to see the current Blues pair bettering Ake’s figures, but that being said; the latter’s return is incredibly respectable.
Ake’s current loan deal expires at the end of the season, but Howe would undoubtedly like to keep the youngster on beyond that. After all, three of Bournemouth’s six league wins this term have come with Ake starting, with his two goals guiding the Cherries to four additional points. However, with Chelsea yet to extend John Terry’s current deal, which expires in June, and Branislav Ivanovic widely expected to be shown the Stamford Bridge exit next summer, Conte won’t want to run the risk of being caught short at the back. With Zouma closing in on a return to full fitness with each passing week and Christensen expected to fight for a place for his parent club next term, Ake could follow suit with Conte looking to inject some youthful exuberance into his ageing backline.
“Chelsea is a big club and, at my age, it’s difficult to break through,” Ake said prior to Bournemouth’s win over Leicester on Tuesday night. His age, though, could count in his favour, while his experience in England’s top tier is a benefit to both he and his parent club. For now, though, Bournemouth are the beneficiaries of Ake’s excellent form, with the centre-back excelling having been gifted a starting berth.
