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Chelsea: Former Blues who would be welcomed back at Stamford Bridge

By Nathaniel Kay

Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (L) vies with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on June 25, 2020. (Photo by PAUL CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (L) vies with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on June 25, 2020. (Photo by PAUL CHILDS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL CHILDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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chelsea, nathan ake, kurt zouma
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Nathan Ake of Chelsea (L) and Kurt Zouma of Chelsea (R) look at the ball during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux on February 18, 2017 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

4. Nathan Ake (2012-17)

This selection may not be popular with every section of the Chelsea contingent, yet this hypothetical transfer is not solely filled with negatives.

Nathan Ake never got going at Chelsea, highlighted by the three successive loan spells before Bournemouth eventual secured his services full-time. Although the Cherries suffered relegation to the Championship, the Dutch defender leapt from the sinking ship into the arms of Guardiola for a £40m treasure chest fee.

The jury is still firmly out there on whether or not Ake can really improve City’s own issues at the back, nor could he do the same at Chelsea. Amongst a higher caliber of teammates and coaching, he may well develop into a top centerback. Clearly comfortable on the ball, Guardiola will undoubtedly raise that side of his game, but the City boss does not have an amazing track record of actually improving the art of keeping the ball out of the net (i.e John Stone, Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala, etc.).

His biggest selling points are: A. He is left-footed, a premium in the world of center halves. B. He is hitting the peak in terms of age. C. Next to his right-footed comrades, Ake would add balance and a certain mystique that is only saved for those of the left persuasion. He has pace, strength, arial ability and learning from the likes of Thiago Silva or Cesar Azpilicueta could only be a blessing. At City, he only really has Aymeric Laporte to emulate, who is only a year his senior.

P.S

Before there is a monumental outrage, Eden Hazard has not been forgotten. His mercurial talent and his moments of individual brilliance were priceless, no doubt. But if he did return, Hazard would be stepping on the toes of Christian Pulisic, the man who is now responsible for wearing his No.10 jersey. Captain America is just beginning to flourish and now is not the time to halt his progress, no matter how much Hazard is adored.

Next. Chelsea: It isn’t 2018 for Callum Hudson-Odoi anymore, adjust accordingly. dark

Which former Blues would you welcome back to Stamford Bridge? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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