Nathan Ake

And in other edge-of-your-seat exclusive journalism: the pope is most likely Catholic, and if he isn't, we probably aren't that far off.

 

But the Pope IS Catholic! WD proven right again!

 

I've been thinking it'd be a shoe-in for us to get him if the money was right, but I wonder what Ake thinks of this - where does he see his future? He's clearly a good player, so would he now consider a move to us for a 'regular' starting spot (yes i know we have Holebas too to fight that out for), or does he recognise and embrace the loan period with us as exactly that and is hoping to push for a spot in the Chelsea squad on his return.

 

No. But I would also have been on the Bournemouth forums saying £3m tops.

 

To be fair, Tyrone Mings has been defined both by the media and on here as one of 'Bournemouth's best players' so he's probably worth £8m.

 

Chelsea's first action will be to have a good look at him and decide if he would fit into future plans, even just as a back up. If they feel they already have better options they will try and accommodate his wishes but they won't be held to ransom and if a bigger bid comes in than we are offering we will be expected to match it. Otherwise Ake's limited first team experience with [a lower] PL team will never amount to zillions and to them he's just an extra wage.

3-5 million sounds about right if no one else is in for him.

 

Ake has consistently said he wants to go back to Chelsea. I wouldn't be too surprised if we got him on loan again, but not sure there's much point in that.

Bare in mind we'll have paid a loan fee that is probably at least 500k.. so no way will we get him for £3 mil!

 

Whisper Chalobah in his ear over and over again .....

 

Just to add on to this, not sure if its been discussed. Doesn't Ake count as a home grown player with regards to prem squads?

Just thinking would this over inflate his price? like any other young English player?

 

What do they actually tell all of these young Chelsea players to make them think they'll get a chance? Every ounce of evidence points to the opposite.

 

If he rots in their reserves they get nothing but bills. Chelsea release half decent young players for nothing every season and £3 million is better than zilch ... Saying all that, he's a £5m player IMO but not a penny more.

 

Whatever he is he ain't ours, consistently start Holebas, and drop Ake to the bench, if he asks why? the answer is "this is how Chelsea will use you, if you want regular starts, then Watford is where you should be"

 

I agree with this somewhat. It doesn't really benefit us to **** of a good play we own just so we can play a good player we don't own.

Holebas is also a lot more attacking than Ake, which is something I think most would agree we need right now. A more defensive midfielder to cover for Holebas' runs on the left and a more defensive full back on the right (Nyom) behind Gueds' forward runs would probably create significantly more opportunities for us.

 

Holebas is 31 and will be 32 in a couple of months - therefore even if we think it unlikely that we'll be able to re-sign Ake for next season neither player is really a long-term option. Therefore it should purely come down to who would do a better job for us now, and personally I'd still give the nod to Ake (narrowly).

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...-news-club-value-nathan-ake-at-more-than-10m/

 

Sorry, but am I alone in thinking Conte is coming here next season? Nothing against Quique, but he would seem to be to Flores what Flores was to Slav.

If he was to buy into the Pozzos project, then it could happen. He would be perfect for tbeir ambitions, and the step up they would be looking for after survival.

 

Yes.

 

Are you suggesting that Antonio Conte will be our manager next season?

 

I believe its a straight fight between him and Mourinho

 

Excellent!

Especially if it is in the style of the Norwegian fish dance!

 

Still nothing in the Wobby about this.

 

Could we not send Holebas 'back' to Chelsea? They have so many loanees they might not spot it and Holebas will take it with his usual good grace.

 

Reality bites:doh:

 

I am thinking that money is not an issue, which could then leave it down to a matter of trust in a Footballing philosophy.

It does sound a bit fantastic when I look at it again, but if, and it is an enormous if, Gino were to replace Quique for next season, then where do you think he would look to do it? Big Sam? Pardew? Gollum? A significant upgrade on Quiqe is going to be an impressive name. We are beginning to compete with these teams for players, so why not coaches?

If Conte wasn't linked with Chelsea, would it sound as silly?

Yeah. It probably would:doom:

 

Bye bye Ake, thanks for everything, no doubt a future Premiership star.

 

Worth a bid, this summer. He's under 21 therefore he won't be using up on of the 25 named squad slots and definitely has the potential to become a great player and, in the true nature of the Pozzo's, sold later on for a profit.

 

Cheers Ake!

 

I'm still clinging on to the vague hope we sign him, apart from being a very talented player and a great future prospect I think he's an extremely likable one. From his bouncing hair to landing on his head and doing a full 360 flip but getting up and carrying on. Hoping we sign him but if not glad we could play a part in his development and am sure he will be at the top level for years to come.

 

Would be an excellent choice on the left of a back three.

 

I suspect he still believes he will get into the Chelsea first, (Bellerin got into Arsenals and at the time of his loan with us I didn't think he would), so I doubt he would push for a move, but of course Chelsea might not see it that way

 

Perhaps our best hope at the moment, with him really wanting to stay on Chelsea's books, is one more season long loan.

 

I disagree either sign him permanently or move on.

 

Good defender, great work ethic but not good enough going forward to be a modern full back.

 

I think its pointless having this debate until we know what the new managers formation will be.

As it looks, Mazzari will be coming in. He has ALWAYS played a back three. Its pointless spending £10m on a player that is a full back and not that great going forward.

 

I would imagine that his future is: a) at Chelsea; and b) at centre back, where he was excellent when thrown in at short notice against Leicester.