'World class players' prevented Nathan Ake from making his mark at Chelsea

'Feel at home' | Ake at Bournemouth
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George Elek6 July 2017

Nathan Ake has admitted that he struggled to see himself breaking into the Chelsea team due to their “world class players”.

The 22-year old Dutch defender has become Bouremouth’s record signing having made the £20m switch from Stamford Bridge.

He had been on loan at the Vitality Stadium last season before his good form saw Antonio Conte recall him in January to be part of his squad. He found his chances limited, and this seemingly did not come as a shock to Ake.

“Every footballer wants to play but I know it was going to be difficult to get in a winning team with world class players,” he said.

“I developed a lot and felt myself growing with world class players every day. I learnt a lot but of course I wanted to play.”

He sees this as being a move that will continue to see him progress as a player, crediting his experience at the club as key reason why he was happy to make the move.

“Well, the club itself straight away when I came in made me feel at home, it’s the not biggest but straight away I felt part of something.

“I think the way I was treated here before was really good, I really enjoyed it and I felt myself developing over the months I was last here.

“I felt Eddie was making me a better player and I know the club, that’s what I needed at this stage of my career.”

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