Ake delighted at first-team opportunities with Chelsea

Nathan Ake has had a busy season for Bournemouth and Chelsea and is thrilled at being given the chance for first team football by Antonio Conte.

After impressing on loan on the south coast, the young defender returned to his parent club in January and has quickly become an important member of Conte’s squad.

The defender started in the FA Cup semi-final for Chelsea against Spurs and was brought on as a replacement for David Luiz against Everton at the weekend.

He was forced to slot into a back three at Goodison Park but the 22-year-old was delighted to be given his chance.

“It was a bit different but I see David train and play, so I know what the role is and I just tried to fit in,” he said.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“I’m happy. I played the FA Cup game and came on in an intense match against Everton, which shows the trust from the manager, so I appreciate it.

“This is what you play football for, the FA Cup was really big and a good platform for me to test myself on.

“Everton was a different kind of game, we were 2-0 up but the front players are really dangerous for them so you have to come on and be ready, I felt it went well.”