Nathan Aké

[LAM09 6,752]

Would be very surprised if Ake did this. One, he was born and raised in Holland and 2 he stands a very good chance of being part of that defence in the future. Especially if he can nail down a position at us or elsewhere. He has got the playing characteristics they like for a CB too.
No offence to Boga, but he probably realised he has a better chance of representing Ivory Coast than France as he was even missing out on their U21 squad.

I'm honestly surprised Holland have already called him up. They aren't exactly spoiled for choice right now.

[The Skipper 20,593]

4 hours ago, Stats said:

 

Would be very surprised if Ake did this. One, he was born and raised in Holland and 2 he stands a very good chance of being part of that defence in the future. Especially if he can nail down a position at us or elsewhere. He has got the playing characteristics they like for a CB too.

No offence to Boga, but he probably realised he has a better chance of representing Ivory Coast than France as he was even missing out on their U21 squad.

Talent level in France is way too high, no chance Boga gets in ahead of the likes of Martial, Mbappe, Ousmane etc. 

[Jase 43,479]

Would have liked to Ake play more this season but think his recall has been justified to some extent. Has come in handy whenever we need someone to fill in a specific position in the back 3.

[Tomo 21,733]

Looks like he is well and truly ahead of Zouma in the pecking order now, thankgod.

[LondonsFinest 692]

13 hours ago, Tomo said:

In what way is Azpi limited (for whats required as a RCB)? Just out of interest?

His height and jumping limit him from being an aerial presence. His ball playing ability isn't great. Any tactically prepared team may/will target the area of our RCB and RWB and exploit it. Don't get me wrong, as I said, I love Azpi, I just believe, he should be rotated and played in the right circumstances, if he is to be a starter vs the big CL clubs next season.

[Tomo 21,733]

11 hours ago, LondonsFinest said:

His height and jumping limit him from being an aerial presence. His ball playing ability isn't great. Any tactically prepared team may/will target the area of our RCB and RWB and exploit it. Don't get me wrong, as I said, I love Azpi, I just believe, he should be rotated and played in the right circumstances, if he is to be a starter vs the big CL clubs next season.

He carries out the ball brilliantly and is fantastic in possession for a CB. He may lack height but that is literally the only chink in his armour defensively and that doesn't even get exposed as much as is made out. Would you have dropped prime Carvalho for lack of height or prime Terry for lack of pace?

Also (and most importantly) Azpi is a fundementally better defender than anyone else in the squad and the best since JT was in his prime, his only weakness should be worked around given all the upsides he brings.

[Jase 43,479]

15 hours ago, Tomo said:

Looks like he is well and truly ahead of Zouma in the pecking order now, thankgod.

Likely because Ake can play in 2 positions of the back 3 as opposed to Zouma, who is only used when Azpi isn't playing at RCB.

[mccg 1,528]

4 hours ago, Jason said:

Likely because Ake can play in 2 positions of the back 3 as opposed to Zouma, who is only used when Azpi isn't playing at RCB.

Can also play midfield roles to boot

[Chelsea? 892]

5 hours ago, Tomo said:

He carries out the ball brilliantly and is fantastic in possession for a CB. He may lack height but that is literally the only chink in his armour defensively and that doesn't even get exposed as much as is made out. Would you have dropped prime Carvalho for lack of height or prime Terry for lack of pace?

Also (and most importantly) Azpi is a fundementally better defender than anyone else in the squad and the best since JT was in his prime, his only weakness should be worked around given all the upsides he brings.

The fact that Azpi wasn't in the team of the year when he's probably the EPL's best defender shows just how under appreciated he is. Even Chelsea fans don't seem to rate him. 

[Fernando 6,465]

Bournemouth are set to stun Chelsea by tabling a monster £40m offer for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and midfielder Nathan Ake, reports the Mirror.

[bigbluewillie 1,859]

On 01/05/2017 at 5:21 PM, Chelsea? said:

The fact that Azpi wasn't in the team of the year when he's probably the EPL's best defender shows just how under appreciated he is. Even Chelsea fans don't seem to rate him. 

Blimey mate I don't think that's true.

Yes he's the best defender in the EPL even Neville of the Mancs had to admit it, bet that hurt him lol

I really don't know where you get the "under appreciated" bit I don't think there's a CFC supporter that believes that.

hes1ofus

[Chelsea? 892]

24 minutes ago, AChes1ofus said:

Blimey mate I don't think that's true.

Yes he's the best defender in the EPL even Neville of the Mancs had to admit it, bet that hurt him lol

I really don't know where you get the "under appreciated" bit I don't think there's a CFC supporter that believes that.

hes1ofus

There's a few here that wanted him out so Christienson could get a place. But I was referring to the general public who seem to underrate him. Chelsea fans know his worth. 

[Chelsea? 892]

57 minutes ago, Fernando said:

Bournemouth are set to stun Chelsea by tabling a monster £40m offer for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and midfielder Nathan Ake, reports the Mirror.

lol stun us, as if we can't reject the bid. 

[the wes 7,212]

[the wes 7,212]

“The main thing for me is to play games. Whether it is here, whether it is somewhere else, I don’t know yet. I need to see what Michael [Emenalo] thinks. That’s what we need to discuss and see where we go from there.”

-Nathan Aké; source: Guardian

[Leif 6,006]

but but but Michael has no say of who is and isn't in our team 

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I just hope they give Conte the strings to create a team, not Emenalo. 

He did some good transfers and some bad, but in the end its Conte managing those players and he should be the one picking who to buy.

[Leif 6,006]

The fact he has to speak to Emenalo, not Conte, shows Conte clearly hasn't expressed desire to keep him around. It also implies it wasn't his idea to bring him back.

But good lad Conte; knowing the difference between an average pro footballer & exceptional ones. For us, seeing any youth product become just an average pro footballer is ecstasy, the youth program has succeeded