Mini Ruud Gullit/Chelsea FC youngster Nathan Ake is likely headed to Championship side Middlesbrough on loan for next season. For the 20-year old Dutchman this move to the Northeast of England comes at a great time in his career.
Moving to Boro will give Ake a chance to get some serious playtime at one of the Premier League’s founding members as they push for their first appearance in the top division since 2009.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is a former assistant of Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese’s time at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and coaches with the same ideas as his former boss. Last season, Karanka’s usage of three Chelsea loanees helped his side stay near the promotion spots for most of the long Championship campaign.
Defenders Tomas Kalas and Kenneth Omeruo both benefited from their time at the Riverside stadium, registering 17 and 33 appearances respectively. Loanee striker Patrick Bamford had his best professional season yet as Bamfordinho scored 17 goals in the league and was recognized as Championship player of the year.
Ake will likely get a generous amount of playing time for Karanka’s side and could use the experience in his case for some more serious time with Mourinho’s first team. Starting in a central defensive role before getting sized out to the left and a defensive midfield position Ake’s technical skill and ability to play a variance of position are some of the main things that makes him an exciting prospect.
I could envision Ake playing a good amount at the left back position if current Middlesbrough defender George Friend moves to a Premier League club this summer.
Boro have been close to the first division for the past few years and until last season’s late dip of performances saw they dropped out of automatic promotion. Despite being easily dispatched by two early goals from Norwich in the ‘richest’ game in football at Wembley last week they will be considered strong contenders for promotion next year.
![By joshjdss (Millwall Vs Middlesbrough) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/db4a1b4aa520b2754da315e5f576631f7df7f503dbc04334b6287e9206bdbfdd.jpg "By joshjdss (Millwall Vs Middlesbrough) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
First being given some time in the Chelsea FC squad under Rafa Benitez in the 2012/2013 season Ake’s appearances this year have come across all competitions for the Blues but have been few and short.
A month-long loan in April to Reading saw him make five appearances for the Royals and do well before being called back to the first team for West Brom away loss. He was substituted on for fellow youngster/position competitor Ruben Loftus-Cheek after the dust had settled in that strange Monday night at the Hawthornes.
Ake still has three years left on his contract with Chelsea and how he performs at this loan could see whether Jose Mourinho deems him good enough for his first team plans in the future. Being a home-grown player means he could even eventually sell for a decent amount but at the young age of 20 he still has all the chances and potential of wearing Chelsea’s colors in the future.
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