Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake in action. (Getty Images)
As per reports from The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur are being linked with a possible transfer for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake.
Ake came through Chelsea’s academy but made just 12 appearances before being loaned out to Reading, Watford and Bournemouth. He was then recalled from his Cherries spell in 2017. And the centre-back seemed to have a great future ahead of him after featuring five times, including in the FA Cup semi-final win over Spurs, before lifting the Premier League title.
Following that season, he was bizarrely sold to Bournemouth for just £20million. From then on, he has made a name for himself as one of the most promising centre-backs in the league. He also has shown that he can pop up with the odd goal and contribute to the team’s cause at the other end of the pitch.
Chelsea have made a habit of throwing away some of their most talented prospects for peanuts over the past five years. Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah and Romelu Lukaku are some high-profile examples of just that. And the latest player who is proving his former employees wrong is Nathan Ake.
Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, have three good defenders in Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez. But with both Vertonghen and Alderweireld on the wrong side of 30, a move for Nathan Ake would be ideal.
In 14 league games so far, Ake has averaged 1.3 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game. Alderweireld, on the other hand, is behind on both counts with 1.2 tackles and interceptions. Ake has also managed more clearances than the Belgian, 4.4 to 4.2.
The Dutch defender has a very high pass success percentage of 89.7 when compared to Alderweireld 84. Ake’s tendency to play short passes and play out from the back rather than clear the ball out is right up there with the best as well.
In the 2018-19 season, Ake, 24, started all 38 games in the Premier League and scored four times for the Cherries.
Verdict
With Spurs’ tendency to play out from the back, Ake would be an ideal signing as he has shown that he is comfortable on the ball. Despite not being the tallest of centre-backs, the Dutchman is good in the air. Also, Ake is quick for a centre-back, which is something perhaps Alderweireld lacks.
All in all, Ake will be a brilliant addition to Mourinho’s set-up in North London.