In recent developments at the Bridge, it has been revealed that Chelsea will demand more than £10million for Nathan Ake this summer if the club’s next permanent manager, most probably Italian Antonio Conte takes the decision of letting go of the left-back. The Watford loanee has expressed his desire to return to parent club Chelsea in the summer only on the condition that he is guaranteed regular football at Stamford Bridge. After an impressive loan spell with the Hornets, the Dutch defender who joined the Blues in 2011 is hoping for a return to the Bridge and more so by making it to the first team more often. Since his stay at Vicarage Road was more than plausible, Quique Sanchez Flores is keen to make Ake’s move to the Hornets permanent.
The 21 year-old has made 23 appearances in all competitions for Watford this season, scoring once in the process. He has played an important role in Watford’s rapid adaptation to an unnerving season of Premier League football. He has been a recognizable presence across Watford’s defence this season helping Watford to win half the matches he starts as opposed to 27 per cent of those without him. Although, the versatile defender seems most wanted at Vicarage Road, Nathan Ake has made it clear that he wants a chance to prove himself at Chelsea, for whom he has made just 11 appearances since 2012.
The Under-21 Netherlands international is reported to have said:
“Of course, I would like to return to Chelsea,”
“But it is important for a player of my age to get regular playing time. Things have been going pretty well this season. I am getting plenty of game time and I really feel like I am improving as a player. Let’s see how the season ends with Watford and then we can start thinking about the future.” he told the Dutch national team’s website.
What Should Chelsea Do With Nathan Ake?
There are two possible directions in which Nathan Ake’s contract might deviate depending on the Blues’ managerial personnel. The decision of whether the Dutch youngster will start next season at Stamford Bridge or go out on loan for a second season or be sold altogether for a fee valued over £10million, none of the alternatives could yet be ruled out.
Potential permanent manager Antonio Conte vests the power to take a call on Ake’s future because even if Conte decides Ake is unlikely to be part of his first-team plans, the Hornets will need to bid huge sums of money to bait Chelsea into selling their attractive defender ending up facing competition from the likes of Liverpool, West Ham United and a host of other German clubs in the summer transfer window.
As a matter of fact, having allowed 21-year-old Ake to join Watford on loan, Chelsea have struggled at left-back this season with summer signing Baba Rahman taking his own sweet time to adapt to English football. Chelsea wants to give their young players more chances and rightly so because Ake has made it clear that he is willing to return to the club as long as he is likely to play games.
Nathan Ake’s contract at Stamford Bridge runs up until June 2020 and thus Ake will still have two years left on his Chelsea contract this summer. Promptly, the London club will be wary of letting him go too easily after seeing Ryan Bertrand do so well at Southampton especially when Chelsea sold Bertrand to Southampton in a deal worth £10m, following a successful season on loan with the St Mary’s club. The 26-year-old has gone on to become a stand-out performer for England and is one of the best international defenders in his position in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s treatment with Nathan Ake stand delayed until Conte starts work as the head coach officially which is not yet to happen before next season. Most preferably, the Blues’ may loan Ake out again if they cannot get a big fee for the youngster from clubs as high and mighty as Liverpool, West Ham United, Watford and even Borussia Monchengladbach.
The German club could be a possible loan destination for Ake with Chelsea keen to take Andreas Christensen back 12 months early from his two-year loan move, in particular. Watford would be willing to sign Ake on loan for another season, but would struggle to match Chelsea’s asking price to complete a permanent transfer and in addition face threats from Liverpool and West Ham making constant checks for the left-back.