Nathan Ake has no regrets over a failed Chelsea return this summer
According to the Evening Standard, Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is happy that he stayed with the English champions and has no regrets over a failed move to return to Chelsea this summer.
With the Blues needing to sign centre-backs to cover for the loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, they were keen on bringing Ake to the club. Reports revealed that an agreement was reached in principle, but with City not able to sign a replacement, the deal fell through.
The Netherlands international has been at Stamford Bridge before, as an academy player in 2011 and went on several loan moves. He eventually signed for Bournemouth on a permanent deal in 2017. Manchester City signed him from the Cherries in the summer of 2020.
Here’s what the defender said about being happy to stay at the Etihad Stadium (h/t Evening Standard):
“I’m very happy to be at Man City and I’m happy that I stayed here in the summer. I was never worried about competition.”
Chelsea signed Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana to fill up their vacant centre-back slots. Ake, on the other hand, who made a slow start to his career at Manchester City, has become one of the regulars this season, with injuries to other players helping him to become a fixed starter in the team.
The 27-year-old has grown in stature since his time at Bournemouth. When he was previously at Chelsea, there were improvements in his game that needed to be done. In due course of time, he has done that and become one of the best defenders in the league.
It is a tricky one to judge whether the Blues missed a trick by not signing him. Partly because the two players they eventually signed are top drawers as well. Both Kalidou and Fofana are expected to be very good for Graham Potter’s men.
More Chelsea News:
- Gabriel Slonina to return to Chelsea for a short training stint before the World Cup
- Chelsea defender Thiago Silva gives a verdict of his contract situation at the club
- Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes a dig at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Either way, there is no point in dwelling on the past. Ake is happy at City, while Chelsea should be happy with the business they did in the summer.
