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According to the Daily Mail, Nathan Ake is set to join Middlesbrough on loan for next season. He will be one of the many Chelsea players who have been on loan to Aitor Karanka’s side. Karanka is a former assistant coach of Jose Mourinho, which makes him very trustworthy to the Portuguese tactician, and a good place to send potential loanees. There have been several Chelsea players that have benefited thus far from a loan to Middlesbrough, the major success story being Patrick Bamford.
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Karanka is helping to mold the young talent of Chelsea youth including Bamford, Omeruo, and Kalas. Ake would be another fine addition to that squad and would demand a starting role right away. However, I think he would be more useful at Chelsea next season.
Nathan Ake is ready to be a part of the Chelsea first team. Last summer, Jose Mourinho was quoted saying, “We are going to have (Andreas) Christensen and (Nathan) Ake, who are 19-years-old and coming from the Academy” Ake played a bit-part role for the Blues this season, making limited appearances, and eventually earning a one-month loan to Reading FC, during which he flourished. However, when Ake has lined up with the Blues, he has looked the part every step of the way.
Ake impresses me most of all Chelsea FC’s academy products. Although it is clear that Loftus-Cheek will also be an entertaining player for the Blues, Ake feels the most ready for me. This is because when he plays, he carries himself with sort of a swagger that most youth players don’t have.
The Dutchman looks and acts as though he’s been there before, almost as though he has nothing to prove. While this confidence can be interpreted as ignorance, in Ake’s case, it’s one of his best assets. He doesn’t play as if he’s auditioning, he plays as if he’s already won the role. This is imperative to his success on the big stage, and I predict he will have continue to flourish at the highest level.
The game vs West Brom was no different for Ake. Although he came into a game that was all but decided, Ake looked superb during his time on the pitch. He acted as though he had been lined up next to Matic all season, locking down defensively, while also delivering well placed passes.
Loaning Ake out this season feels like a mistake to me. Chelsea FC should hold onto their youngster and use him and Loftus-Cheek to bolster their squad, rather than moving for expensive squad members. Ake can play an important role for the Blues next season, and he’s more than ready.
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