9 minutes ago, enigma said:

dunno why we don't play him next to kante. matic is below average this season

Not sure I would describe a player who was part of a 13 game winning streak, someone who has played the majority of games in a side sitting top and in an FA Cup final as having a "below average" season. 

Well he is. Matic has been off the pace for about 2 years.

1 minute ago, Zeta said:

Well he is. Matic has been off the pace for about 2 years.

Thought Matic was immense v Everton personally. If Pedro hadn't scored a worldie he would have been my MOTM fwiw.

I thought this rule was changed a couple years ago - guess i was wrong.

That's what I thought too

I haven't seen much props given to Ake, but he did well on his assist to Batman today

 

a small mistake on their second goal, should have shown the player outside but that aside looks very good 

I haven't seen much props given to Ake, but he did well on his assist to Batman today
 

Yeah he had a very good game yesterday

Personally I see Ake as the type vital within the squad. His possible role being as direct cover for a number of players,trusted by the manager to do a job when required. He will have to make a choice does he want this role, winning medals and earning a top wage or playing regularly for a slight lower tier side earning less. An interesting choice for the lad who appears to be a well grounded professional.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/17/bournemouth-nathan-ake-asmir-begovic-bids

£30m for Begovic and Aké is good money. I'd be inclined to let Asmir go if we can find another HG keeper of similar standard. Aké on the other hand we should keep, depending on who we buy/call back he will have a bigger role next season.

4 minutes ago, gojo_ed said:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/17/bournemouth-nathan-ake-asmir-begovic-bids

£30m for Begovic and Aké is good money. I'd be inclined to let Asmir go if we can find another HG keeper of similar standard. Aké on the other hand we should keep, depending on who we buy/call back he will have a bigger role next season.

I dont think so. To replace Ake we will be buying Laporte? Mere (or someone from La liga as has been said by multiple people)? VVD? Each of them is 25mil+ atleast.

Was called up for the Netherland's squad. Another big step for him.

1 hour ago, IliyaKrostin said:

Was called up for the Netherland's squad. Another big step for him.

He's their third best player

Fair play to him for being called up for the Netherlands (albeit only for friendlies and a competitive WC qualifier v Luxembourg, it was suggested he may opt to play for the Ivory Coast). Hope he's with us next season if we miss out on VVD. West Ham have reportedly made enquiries.

Edited May 26, 20179 yr by the special one

Good article here: 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/30/chelsea-nathan-ake-interview-holland 

Few things from my perspective:

-I like how honest he is about height (one of things we've mentioned as an issue here) and in general comes across level headed 

-instructive he talks mainly about Emenalo

-reporter was asking leading questions on playing time but in general get sense he will want more playing time or consider permanent move

-has a bit of a problem about his utility player status. Interesting Conte mainly saw him as center half. Not sure being first backup in two positions helps him - even your squad John O'sheas of the world were starting regularly and unfortunately I'm not sure he does that. Would be a shame if he moves on

I think we'll sell him to Bournemouth this summer. 

He's too good to be sitting on the bench every week but he's not good enough (yet) to start regularly for us. 

If/when we sell him i'm fairly confident in saying we'll regret it a few years down the line and want him back when he's older.

19 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

I think we'll sell him to Bournemouth this summer. 

He's too good to be sitting on the bench every week but he's not good enough (yet) to start regularly for us. 

Agreed, for me he's too similar to Cahill in so far that both are liable to make a mistake in the big games when it counts. For me we need a 'big game player' at LCB to take us to the next level. Would have no qualms if he's Cahill's understudy next season, but if we do sign VVD it would make sense to sell with a buyback option.

Everton reportedly interested too, apparently.

Edited May 31, 20179 yr by the special one

We should not be selling him. He'll be as good as VVD in a couple of years time, who we're apparently chasing for 40 million, and parts of his game are already better. I think he should be rotating with Cahill next season in that LCB position, plenty of games to give him minutes, and he showed against spurs that he's absolutely up to it. I'd be really disappointed to see him go. I also think he'd be better than Matic in midfield, certainly better in the air and very composed on the ball. 

3 minutes ago, RMCM said:

We should not be selling him. He'll be as good as VVD in a couple of years time, who we're apparently chasing for 40 million, and parts of his game are already better. I think he should be rotating with Cahill next season in that LCB position, plenty of games to give him minutes, and he showed against spurs that he's absolutely up to it. I'd be really disappointed to see him go. I also think he'd be better than Matic in midfield, certainly better in the air and very composed on the ball. 

Sorry to play devil's advocate, but against Watford he showed that he isn't as good as perhaps some make him out to be.

Edited May 31, 20179 yr by the special one

6 minutes ago, the special one said:

Sorry to play devil's advocate, but against Watford he showed that he isn't as good as perhaps some make him out to be.

Fair point, but he's young, as a central defender experience plays a big part, there's very few centre backs out there that look the complete package at 22, I just think Ake's talents far outweigh the negatives, there's nothing in his game that can't be improved, but he has a lot of attributes that can't be taught. 

47 minutes ago, RMCM said:

Fair point, but he's young, as a central defender experience plays a big part, there's very few centre backs out there that look the complete package at 22, I just think Ake's talents far outweigh the negatives, there's nothing in his game that can't be improved, but he has a lot of attributes that can't be taught. 

Agreed, sadly for me it's the attributes that can't be taught that I think we'll need in the squad to help us be competitive next season (both in the PL and CL) - my hope is we'll sign van Dijk this summer, sell Ake but eventually bring him back to replace Cahill in 2 or 3 years.

Edited May 31, 20179 yr by the special one

I think realistically it's going to have to be a choice between Ake and Christensen, and Christensen has higher level experience, so it will probably be him we go with.

20m to Bournemouth going by some reports?

Be really disappointed if that happens.

Apparently we are going to sell him for 20mil to Bournemouth. Great business by the Club.

Btw, how much are we going to be buying him back for? I would say about 50mil in 2 season's time with Cahill and Luiz aging up and the club looking for a couple of new CB.

Great business if this happens!!! Great.. just flipping great.

3 minutes ago, didierforever said:

Apparently we are going to sell him for 20mil to Bournemouth. Great business by the Club.

Btw, how much are we going to be buying him back for? I would say about 50mil in 2 season's time with Cahill and Luiz aging up and the club looking for a couple of new CB.

Great business if this happens!!! Great.. just flipping great.