TRANSFER STORY
According to a report on Daily Star, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in making a move for versatile Bournemouth defender, Nathan Ake, who is rated at £40m.
Jose Mourinho has worked previously with the player during his time at Chelsea and certainly rates him if the report is to be believed. On the other hand, Pochettino needs to sign a centre-back and is also said to be keen on the Dutchman.
MORE ON THE PLAYER
Nathan Ake joined the Chelsea youth setup in 2011 from Feyenoord at the age of 16. He made his Premier League debut in December 2016 and played intermittent first-team football in the next couple of years.
In March 2015, he joined Reading on loan and that led to a series of loan spells with Watford and Bournemouth. He was recalled by Chelsea in January 2017 but failed to cement a first-team spot and eventually made a permanent move to Bournemouth for a club record fee of £20m in July 2017.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
The 23-year-old currently plays as a centre-back but he was deployed mostly at left-back in his initial years. He is also capable of playing in midfield, all of which clearly shows his versatility. He is well-built and is a brave defender. He likes to play out from the back, something which has caught on in the Premier League especially since the arrival of a certain Catalan. Ake is a good dribbler and also offers a tremendous attacking threat in the opposition box.
As what comes with young age and ability, he can be a bit rash in his decision making. He can get caught out of position at times, something which he has to manage in a better manner during a game.
He has played a huge part in Bournemouth’s recent emergence as a bonafide Premier League team but he will have an eye on the rumour pages surely, given the stature of the clubs interested in him.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR- RIGHT FIT FOR AKE?
Mauricio Pochettino has overseen an uneven start to the season. There have been injuries to crucial first-team members, something which he had been extremely lucky till this season. Last season, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez developed an excellent chemistry and laid the base for a solid season.
Toby Alderweireld’s contract impasse has gone on far too long and there doesn’t seem to be a solution in sight. Pochettino won’t be questioned if he is planning on life after the departure of the Belgian. The uncertainty regarding Toby’s future and the nervy displays of Sanchez this season obviously calls for defensive reinforcements and someone like Nathan Ake fits in perfectly with Pochettino’s philosophy. He is young, is bold and fearless in his approach play and is technically adept too.
Assessing all the factors mentioned above, we can safely say that this is a move which is likely to prove beneficial to both parties in case Spurs indeed make a move in the near future.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored