Wtf?? He was a regular starter for Bournemouth. What a strange decision.

Only reports, only doubting authenticity though cos I'd be equally surprised

Potentially Conte doesn't like Kenedy, wants back up to Alonso and sees that in Ake. Myself think Ake has had enough of switching between different positions every 6 months and don't think he's well suited to wingback in any case.

Ake would be a terrible wingback. However he can play in back three. Who would displace there ? Cahill ?

Ake is left footed so he'd be a good replacement for Cahill

Get him in for that disaster waiting to happen Cahill

Nothing on the club website about it, so I'll take it with a (large) pinch of salt.

Even if true I don't see him being much of a wing back!

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swap him for alonso immediately

I'd prefer to leave him at Bournmouth. He's doing well, and getting game time. He's not a natural wing-back, which is where we need most cover - and he's not the best centre back. Not sure he's any better than Cahill.

I'll be quite annoyed if this happens because he's currently having a fantastic loan spell with Bournemouth and has already become an invaluable player for them.

Unless we plan to play him a lot at very least then just leave him be until the end of the season. As said above not sure he would be that great at LWB anyway and that's the position that most needs addressing right now.

I think he'd make an excellent LWB. The lad has all the attributes to do so and has successfully played at left back and midfield.

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Yeah, I think he'd do well there too. I'm just not really an Alonso fan and think Ake, with a run, could prove an upgrade.

I'm not suggesting LWB would be his best position but think it is one he could make his own.

comment by The Droog (U17596)
posted 3 minutes ago
Yeah, I think he'd do well there too. I'm just not really an Alonso fan and think Ake, with a run, could prove an upgrade.

I'm not suggesting LWB would be his best position but think it is one he could make his own.
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I'm not really an Alonso fan either, but his main weakness is his lack of pace, and I'm not sure Ake is much faster. Ake could arguably play in place of Cahill in that left central defensive position, although I don't think he's better than Cahill (yet). Ake has played in the central defensive midfield position - but again, I don't think natural speed is such an issue there. To play wing back you need speed - and that's not Ake's forte.

I think Sidey is right there Droog, I just don't see him as a marauding LWB and we wouldn't be doing the lad any favours trying to shoe horn him into an alien position.

I do think we need an alternative to Alonso but I don't want to see us putting any square pegs into round holes on a whim!

I'm not talking long term, I think he could take Alonso's spot this season, I wonder if Conte would overlook experience in practice though.

Ake isn't quick but he isn't any slower than what we have. I absolutley think we need to get some quality in that area in the summer but it isn't just pace for me Alonso lacks, he's just so cumbersome on the ball and gets easily crowded out, Ake has fast feet and just sorts himself out.

Ultimately, as much as I rate Ake I think he'd do well to ever make a position his own and he'll prove a good utility player.

He is quick

Ake isn't quick but he isn't any slower than what we have. I absolutley think we need to get some quality in that area in the summer but it isn't just pace for me Alonso lacks, he's just so cumbersome on the ball and gets easily crowded out, Ake has fast feet and just sorts himself out.

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Yeah fair enough, if Conte plans to actually play Ake instead of Alonso then so be it. It might work. He certainly wouldn't be worse than Alonso who is too often the weak link in the side.

We should never have sold Ryan Bertrand and whoever is responsible for that happening needs to be docked wages.

I think wing back is a specialist position, I'd rather we waited to get the right player in there!

Or sacked

I've just put him in my FF side and now he won't play a minute

If there was any doubt Eddie Howe now confirmed Ake's recall

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news/2017/1/7/14200164/nathan-ake-set-to-be-recalled-by-chelsea-reveals-bournemouth-boss-eddie-howe

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He'd be more suited to the CB role imo. Also, can provide cover in middfield. But LWB ? Has he even played there before ?

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