Ake could save Chelsea a lot of money – Redknapp
Jamie Redknapp believes that Nathan Ake could make Chelsea think twice about spending heaps of money on a new left-sided centre-back.
Antonio Conte’s side have been linked with several defenders in the last few months, including Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini and Burnley’s Michael Keane.
Ake has been impressing out on loan at Bournemouth with a number of assured displays at the heart of Eddie Howe’s defence and Redknapp is backing him to have a big impact on the Blues when he returns at the end of his loan spell.
“Although there are elements of his game he needs to improve upon, Ake could end up saving Chelsea a lot of money,” Redknapp told the Daily Mail.
“Chelsea are crying out for a left-sided centre back. Gary Cahill has done well there this season but the position does not come naturally to him.
What a second half!!! #UpTheCherries ? pic.twitter.com/o5QCUwe5E8
— Nathan Aké (@NathanAke) December 4, 2016
“Good left-footed centre backs are hard to find. Chelsea may go out and buy someone like Giorgio Chiellini but they could have a long-term solution on their books in Ake.
“If he keeps his place, Ake will have had two years’ Premier League experience on loan at Watford and Bournemouth.
“He will have gone a long way to showing he could go back to Chelsea to be a part of their set-up in the next year or two.
“The last central defender to come through the youth system and become a regular at Stamford Bridge was John Terry. Could Chelsea have finally found another?”