Chelsea recall has given me bags of confidence, says Ake

Chelsea’s revolving door loan policy certainly has its critics, but ask youngster Nathan Ake and he will tell you his time away from Stamford Bridge has helped him flourish into a player capable of delivering for the Blues.

The 21-year-old Dutchman was recalled by manager Antonio Conte earlier this month after impressing on loan at Bournemouth, and made his first Chelsea appearance since May 2015 on Saturday.

Ake was selected at left wing-back for the 4-0 victory over west-London rivals Brentford, and admits the faith shown in him by Italian boss Conte following spells with Watford and the Cherries has given him a new lease of life at the club.

“It’s nice to be back here, to play 90 minutes and to get the win,” he said.

“I’ve developed more as a player, I’ve gained a lot of experience the past two years and played a lot of games. I feel maybe a bit more experienced – not too much, but more than I was before.

“In the Premier League it’s tough. When I went to Watford, I was still maybe a boy but I learned a lot over that season and then this season playing centre-back you have to win balls in the air.

“I was 19 or something when I went, which is a good age to go on loan and get experience and play a lot of games. It was important for me, I needed it.

“You learn so much playing week in, week out and you come back a more complete player.

“On the first day I was back, Antonio Conte called me into his office and explained the different positions he sees me in and what he expects from me when I play those positions.

“For him, age doesn’t matter. I just have to show him I’m ready to be here and that’s what I try to do in training.

“It was positive that he called me back and it gave me a lot of confidence.”